It's a Good Day.

New strategy---P90X! 2 down, 88 to go. A little daunting, yes, but I'm ready: 

In 88 days I will have muscles the size of... watermelons. Cannons.. mountains? Or this guy:

Yes, please. 

too many dog pictures.

i think i'm obsessed.

While this week has been nutso, I've made it a priority to relax. I've done this through reading The Book of Awesome. From watching Dexter (although I don't quite 'relax' during that one...) Taking a bath. Drinking wine. Talking to friends I haven't talked to in a looooong time. Refusing to make dinner and heating things up in the oven instead. Vegging on the couch. Dog park.

And tomorrow the best place in the entire universe... La Nap. We always go there. One day we'll switch it up and try some place else. For now, I'll take my liter-sized Dos Equis and a burrito smothered in queso. Yes please.

Sleepy Diego after a dogpark romp.

Happy Friday!

Instant Joy... just add sunflowers

Sunflowers are an immediate source of joy. Especially when they're only $2.99 from Publix.

Other sources of joy? 

Picking up Diego from his first daycare session damp from the pool and instant pass out in the car. (He told me he loved it and wishes mommy and daddy could afford to send him more.) 

NOT being projectile vomited on by a student today and thankful for Mr. Nick's promptness in cleaning it up.

Sitting outside with the 'cool-ish' weather, watching the sunset, enjoying a beverage of choice. 

Life is good today. 

First day; 3rd Edition

I can't believe I'm starting year #3. I just went through and read my 'very first week' blog entries and how excited I was to actually be in the classroom after a year and a half of learning about it. It was a much-needed reminder of how much I love my job and to keep the passion I had that first year!

Today was okay... the first day is always kind of boring as you're going through your routines. I found that I actually enjoyed seeing last year's students now in my 7th grade classes because they already know the routines. Hopefully they won't become too comfortable and go crazy on me. I already have a couple of 'rascals' that I'll have 'The Talk' with at some point this week.

I'll try to remember to take pictures of my classroom tomorrow to post.

This year's goal will be to figure out the best ways to 'refuel' when I feel like I can't make it. I'll have to brainstorm ideas--- any thoughts?

Awesome things of the moment:
-Amy and Paul were engaged!! can't wait for the wedding!!
-Talked to Annie on Skype last night
-re-painted the fireplace wall (so much better!)
-Diego's going to doggy daycare tomorrow. I hope he loves it!


Random picture of the day (can you tell my iphone has opened up a world of picture-taking possibilities?)

That creepy looking thing is a deer! It stared right at Kristin and I on our way home from the teacher party this weekend. Crazy!!

Exhausted.

...and school hasn't even started. A bit of an overwhelming, "How-the-heck-can-I-cover-everything?!" kind of week.  I am thankful for God's grace and strength, my wonderful friends at work who helped get me through this week, and past students/parents whose joy at seeing you again help remind me why I was called to be a teacher.. Our brains are full, our eyes are twitching, our rooms and plans not quite there yet. But you'll find a smile on our faces and hope in our hearts for the best year ever.

I admit, that was a little cheesy.

Didn't quite help reduce the stress to have to come home to this:

At least it wasn't something important, like a pillow, pair of shoes, or something electronic like it has been in the past.

BUT the frustration was immediately canceled out by the anticipated arrival of this in the mail:

And a little lab lovin' couldn't hurt either.

*Note-- Diego is NOT the fat one.