Tempted

*Image via Piper Lime

Like I've previously remarked, Texas has sandal weather almost all of the time. I just saw these and they are on sale, not a huge mark down - but tempting. I am looking for sandals that can also be considered somewhat fashionable and professional. I'll be alone for 24 hours and might use the time for some wandering and back-to-school inspiration. I'm keeping these blue numbers in the back of my mind.

Water Polo

*Image by Ed Ringtone

Yesterday I met some real people! I found myself in a real pool for the first time in a month and had my first water polo practice. Joining a team was a great idea because now I know seven more people and got some exercise too. I'm looking forward to another practice on Sunday. Getting out of the house is awesome, meeting people and having something in common feels great. Next week I'll meet even more people and maybe San Antonio will start to feel like home.

Tasks

*Image by Erin MJ

I actually have places to go and - gasp - people to see next week. I have to attend a New Teacher Academy and will hopefully make some new friends. I'll get to meet some people in my new building and maybe I'll even get a glimpse at my new classroom. This sounds like it will be a good opportunity for me to make friends. It is exciting to have something to look forward to.

Radio

*Image by flavijus

We've been listening to a lot of NPR now that we found the local station in San Antonio. Trevor said that it reminds him of Seattle. I'm just glad that there is a public radio station here. I never realized how lucky I was to have KEXP in my city, on my radio every day. Here, I can turn on the radio and hear the same song at least four times a day. I miss commercial free listening. Now, I can find the local and world news and listen to some interesting conversations. David Sedaris was on last night talking about Paris with Rick Steves. My ears are happy.

Lonely

*Image and buttons by wickedmint

Summer vacation just isn't the same when you're all by yourself. Yeah, my dog is great. Yes, I have things to keep me busy. I'm just lonely. When I look at my phone I am reminded of the time difference and that most of my friends would not like to chat at 6 am on a Tuesday. Hopefully I'll make some friends this Thursday when I go check out the Gator Gals women's water polo team. If I didn't have the internet I really don't know how I would make friends. Things are so much better when you have someone around to share them with.

Paycheck

*Image via Anthropologie

This week I'll be getting a paycheck and I'm pretty excited about using some of it for back-to-school shopping. Aside from purchasing some art supplies for my classroom, a few wardrobe items are in order. I'm not sure how air-conditioned my next classroom will be, but am already the owner of an array of cardigans. I need at least another pair of light weight teacher pants and possibly a few more school-appropriate sleeveless tops. At least I'll be able to avoid wearing the same clothes as my students because a) they are in 8th grade this year and b) they have to wear a uniform and I don't. The idea of back-to-school shopping makes me smile. I think I need some markers...

Vacation

*Art by Liz Tran via Maison Luxe

Now that I have a job, I have only three short weeks of vacation left this summer. Considering that there is now a deadline on my aimless days I feel the urge to sit in the sun a bit longer. I have a few books to finish and some general lazy deeds to accomplish. Now it feels a little more like summer.

Nap

Nothing nicer than a nap on a Sunday. What you can't hear is the bulldog snoring. It's so funny so see him sleeping and to hear the noises he makes. Both of them make sleeping noises, sometimes it is difficult to distinguish the two.

Underwater

*Image by javiy

This is on my agenda for today, putting my feet in some water. That is a good thing on a hot Saturday afternoon. I'm off to the pool.

Desk fairy

*Image via paper+cup

Apparently there is a desk fairy, at least in my reality. I've been spending countless hours looking on Craigslist for a desk or perhaps a nice book shelf. Today we decided to go to the lovely outlet mall not too far from San Antonio to look for a coffee table. The desk fairy landed at the Pottery Barn outlet just before we got there and my dream desk was waiting for me at a substantial discount. I call this a dream desk because I would never dream paying that much for a desk, but did love the aesthetics, storage and large desk top. Again, the outlets impressed me with over an 80% savings. I love a good deal. Now I have a desk for my files, my goodies and my correspondance. I am so excited.

Little girls

*Image by Janis Nicolay via Layers of Meaning

There are a few new little girls waiting to enter into my life lately. My cousin is due pretty soon and this fall one of my closest friends is going to be a little girl's father. I've always been one to hang with the boys but when I saw this picture it got me a little excited about baby girls. I guess being a teacher makes me a little biased against all children because I see them every day and employ some parenting skills in the classroom. This is not a post announcing that I want a baby of my own any time soon. This is a post announcing that I am excited about baby girls and that I can't wait to meet them. I could even be inspired to make cute little rumba pants and tutus for little girls.

Desk

*Image via coco + kelley

My new home desperately needs a desk. We are actually lucky enough to have a great built-in desk with some storage shelves in a nook in our apartment. Unfortunately, Trevor has already claimed the space for himself. Luckily, I have a whole den to myself that I can use for writing, grading and crafting. I can imagine the space in my mind and it's great. In its current state not much can happen. It is a room full of boxes that contain books because we don't have a shelf for the books. That room could also use a desk and a chair. I'm scouring craigslist for inspiration and affordable furniture. I wish I knew where else to go looking in this city.

Work

*Image by Rick Takagi

Yesterday I had a job interview and subsequently a job offer. I am happy to have work and to have a classroom to look forward to. I am not happy about having to take state mandated tests, but I am sure most students are unhappy about taking state mandated tests so we have something in common. I miss home today.

Truth

*Image by Jen11 via sfgirlbybay

The fine print is the best part, in my opinion. I never would have guessed that hanging pictures in my new home would be so fun and so satisfying. Having company makes everything seem a little more cheery, I guess. I need another set of eyes around. Hopefully it doesn't all stop now that my house has more character and fewer blank walls.

Mail

*Image by Dave Ward

My self-description on this blog states that I love getting mail and that is correct. Today I had the pleasure to unfold a wonderful letter from an old friend. Now I'm all weepy because I miss my friend. I was lucky enough to find this perfect picture online and it even hails from Bellingham; the stars were aligned. I've been writing letters all week and now I have yet another to add to my list. I might have to re-learn some crafty letter-gami from days of yore. Right now I am just wishing that all of my thank you cards were finished - I guess that means I should encourage my husband to pick up a pen. On my agenda: a nap (woke up super early to chauffeur Trevor to work), clean, grocery shop, sunbathe, airport pick-up. But, the best thing about today was checking the mail.

Beans

*Image by krmphotography

My best friend is coming to town tomorrow and I'm pretty excited to see her. In fact, I've got a bunch of stuff to take care of so I can devote my next few days to adventure and exploration (plus some sun bathing and swimming, of course). The green beans are for her, it's a long story.

Wedding I

*Images by Cheryl Jones

The disk of wedding photos came in the mail yesterday and I am so pleased by the quality and all of the photos we have of our wedding day. I loved going through the photos and seeing how much fun everyone was having and how happy all of our friends and family were throughout the day. We had a wonderful photographer who really captured who we were and the relaxed, fun feeling at our wedding. We were especially lucky to have a beautiful day in Seattle to celebrate. I hope you enjoy this first peek.

Sewing

*Image by GirlGenius

I've had the pattern for this purse along with fabric (also Echino from Superbuzzy) sitting in my stash for a while. I have so much time on my hands, I may as well get busy. My best friend and pattern-whiz is coming for a visit this weekend. Some sewing is going to be on the agenda, especially because when I bought fabric for myself I bought fabric for her too. I can't wait to see a familiar face and to get crafty. That brings me to my goal: clearing up my craft space and making some usable space. Ready. Set. Go!

Sneakers

*Image via i am a greedy girl

Two things I love: 1. sneakers 2. glittery shoes. These Pumas take care of both at once. Good thing it is nowhere near sneaker weather in San Antonio because they are spendy, even on sale. I can drool like the greedy girl who posted them first.

Ants

*Image by Pockafwye

Today I imagined a relaxing morning at the pool, working on a bit of a tan to hide the fact that I spend my days inside with the AC. Instead, I woke up to ants swarming my kitchen. Not in a singular, amusing way like the picture. In a gross, moving-counter, can't eat breakfast way. Bugs really don't tend to bother me unless they are gigantic or swarming. I would definitely call this a swarm so now my morning has been filled with deep cleaning and sealing up any and all food we have in our cabinets. Maybe there will be pool time later. All I can imagine are those crawling ants all over the place. Sorry if I grossed you out. I did find in my previous blog readings that ants don't like black pepper, it seems to have worked to ward them off for now.

So hot

*Image by Hermes Singson

How do these Texans do it? I have never in my life been such a fan of air conditioning! This morning while I was taking Trevor to work on the radio they announced that the temperature was 76 degrees. That sounds normal and fine, but the clock read 6:51 am. That is hot folks. I have a date with the pool tomorrow, but I think I'll have to start at about 8 or 9 in the morning. I really am from the Northwest.

Thank you

*Image by LarkingAbout

Today I need to put my pen to paper and write some thank you cards. I know that Trevor will have to put in his time as well, but this is something I can do with my empty days. I feel pretty worthless these days because I have no obligations and therefore no real good reason to get up and actually get dressed. I don't have a job (other than looking for a job) and I don't really know anyone in town... I am a slug. I will give myself some purpose and I will finish these thank you cards. A new job for me.

Splash

*Image by fleuradet via sfgirlbybay

This is exactly what I am planning on doing today. I know the pool will be crowded here because it is steadily in the 100s. My toes will be the first part of me immersed in cold pool water. Happy 4th of July.

Wow

*Image by Cheryl Jones

I totally couldn't resist. Our wedding photos are on their way to us in the mail and our photographer just posted more pictures on her blog. There are a few photos that make me smile and some that I am more than pleased to know she captured. There is a shot of my hand holding a handkerchief makes me emotional. Inadvertently, Cheryl got a picture of me with both of my grandmothers on my wedding day. The handkerchief was passed along to me by my mom who knew I would want something from her mother on my wedding day and the ring was from my parents and contains Idaho garnets that were unearthed by my dad's mom. I just made that connection. All of my aunts were right, both of my mociutes (grandmothers) were with me.

Exploration

*Image by visual think map

Today I must do some exploring. I have a few apartment needs to fulfill and some more clothes to hang, but I need to get out of the house! I'm on a mission to find a few great plants to add some greenery and life to our house and something good to cook for dinner. I'll pack my camera and log the results. I've got my eye on a plant and home store that I drove past the other day that looks promising.

Texas

*Image by cyclopic

I officially live in San Antonio as of two days ago. We finally got to Texas after four and a half long days of driving. I can't believe I'm here. Our apartment is gigantic, I cannot believe how much space we have. Guess that is Texas style. I also figured out why the state seems so huge, it's flat here (yes, I passed lovely plateaus on the way). Another surprising element on the drive was all of the green and the presence of trees. I don't know what I was expecting, but the trees are nice. I need to do some more exploring. I think that this will be temporarily be a blog about exploring San Antonio. Anyone reading from the area? Want to show me around?