Chocolate

*Image by joyousx

This week at school has been... I deserve a nice hefty slice of cake. Thank goodness someone has organized an adults-only teacher outing after school today. I don't know of a place in town where I could grab a nice chocolate slice with my chocolate stout - this is something I should find. Oh joy. How do you plan to unwind tonight?

For Life

*Image by yyelsel ann

Hungry? In Seattle? How about a good dinner for a good cause. Tonight many local restaurants are donating a portion of their proceeds to the Lifelong AIDS Alliance. In years past friends and I took this opportunity to check out a new fancy place, made sure to have a few drinks and always ate dessert. If a night on the town can benefit a good cause why not Dine Out for Life? Not in Seattle? No worries, look for a similar event in other communities here.

Pop

*Image via Apartment Therapy

The large colorful focal piece in this room works so well. I know that some people are born with great taste and keen eyes for design. I'm still trying to hone mine. The most difficult part of owning our first home is coming together on design and decoration. Trevor seems rather cavalier with the whole 'you'll decorate' idea. I know he has opinions waiting to pop up the minute I'm set on something. Any tips on consolidating design ideas?

Color

*Image by 604photos

As much as I hate painting, this is a thought that has been consuming my mind lately. The last time I painted it was fun choosing colors, but the actual work we put in putting them on the wall made me reconsider the effort. Being surrounded by a beige cave for the past ten months has me dying to put something more than artwork on my walls. For some reason I feel especially drawn to blues lately, but I think I'll have to spend some time in the space before I decide. What are your go-to colors?

Fischer

*Image & print by bittersugar

F is for Fischer (formerly Finlayson) and friend. Today is this fine lady's birthday and I couldn't be happier to blog about how great she is. I like that she has coined this year thirty-fun. I can look forward to something that fabulous sounding. Cheers to you LA, happy fun day, I miss you and can't wait to see you this summer. Do I get bonus points for my efforts to incorporate your final initial?

Kiddie

*Image by Claire Marie Vogel

Another happy addition we're going to make is adding a kiddie pool to our yard for Odin. I'm excited that he will finally have some yard space to run around in and his very own doggie pool. Can you tell that I am swept up in this house idea?

Running

*Image by zamario

After a great day of sleeping in yesterday I'm up super early on a Saturday yet again. This weekend is for fun. My new friend and neighbor has been awesomely game and has been coming to water polo with me. When she wanted to start running, I was more than happy to oblige. This morning is her first ever 5k. I hope she has fun and is up for more.

Alarm

*Image via Lightroom Presets

I love my sleep. I like laying in bed for an extra five minutes in the morning, slowly talking myself out of the warm covers. I love being able to hit the snooze on the alarm clock, just one more time. My favorite part about mornings is that last minute lingering in bed. What is your favorite part of the day?

Earth Day

*Image by shreya59

Happy Earth Day everyone! Today I am focusing on conservation of water, energy and resources. I hid the garbage cans in my classroom (this might be a more permanent feature) to force students to toss their paper scraps in the recycling bin. I am going to take a super short shower after water polo, instead of lingering like I tend to do. People expect me to be some sort of environmentalist, being that I am from Seattle. One of the exciting things about owing a home is the ability to recycle from the curb, I can't wait. What are changes you can make to impact our planet?

Contract

*Image & card via Tottie85

It was almost anti-climactic to put the final signatures on our contract. We're technically not home owners because we haven't signed a mortgage yet, but the house is going to be ours. It feels surreal. I feel like I should start packing or something. We're not moving yet, but we have a house!

Gray

*Image & print by exit343design

The skies have been gray in Texas lately. We've had rushing torrents of rain and less-than-blue skies. It reminds me of Seattle. I do love the fact that all of this rain has brought out the green. That was my absolute favorite part of living in the Emerald City - the blooming springtime. I'm glad that we've got some cloudy days, because I know that the upcoming summer will turn everything brown.

Friends

*Image & print by vickeh

Yesterday I had a nice relaxing breakfast with my newest friend. The hardest part about moving across the country was leaving everyone behind. Now I'm starting to feel a little more settled in town. I miss my tea meet-ups and time with my Seattle pals, but am glad that I have someone in town to hang out with.

Shocking

*Image via J.Crew

Shocking pink? Sounds like a color I might like to try. I'm keeping my eye out for sleeveless tops that could also be worn to work or dressed up for a night out. Really, I'm not shopping for clothes as much as I am daydreaming about our house. I drove by again today and peeked in the windows after polo practice. I'm having fun imagining all of the potential it holds.

Certification

*Image by susiejulie

It is way too early to be up on a Saturday. Way too early to be up to take a test. Today I will put my #2 to some bubble-in scantron and prove that I deserve a Texas teaching certificate. I know I can pass, but these high-stakes tests sure do make me nervous. Now or never right? I wish I was still in bed sleeping.

Friday

*Image & print by Sycamore Street Press

Perfect for Friday is the combination of two things I love: robots and bicycles. A robot riding a bicycle is icing on the cake right? What about the fact that this print is a whopping $10 and that the robot's name is Hector? Sold yet? Thought so.

Welcome

*Image & mat by India Rose

We did it! Yesterday we saw some fantastic houses and found something we would love to live in. Each house that we saw was better and better. One, I liked and Trevor was just ok with. One was too big (kind of like the 3 bears right?). One Trevor loved, and I hated. Then we pulled up to the front of what we hope will be our new house. Now I'm online browsing for a welcome mat, feeling kind of like a grown-up.

Hunting

*Image & print via The House of Bouton

Today the hunt for our new home continues. Trevor is set on a garage for all of his tinkering and I think I have my sights set on a kitchen with plenty of storage and enough space to cook a feast. The hard part is narrowing down our priorities and not feeling too picky. I think that when we find something all of the pieces will come together. My fingers will be crossed all day.

Scarves

*Images via Gilt Group

I've decided that I like the idea of wearing a scarf as an accessory. At first I wasn't sure, and admired other people who knew how to pull off fun, light-weight scarves. I have been experimenting with tying scarves and am pleasantly surprised by the variety that can be achieved with a few simple loops or knots. Now I need to add another long light-weight scarf to my wardrobe. Perfect for summer. What is your favorite way to tie or wear a scarf?

Concentration

*Image by December Sun

How am I going to be able to focus on school today when all I can think about is going to look at more houses this afternoon? I'll be antsy, but I think I'll make it. There is something great to look forward to today.

Looking

*Image by Little Paper Dog

Today we spent the afternoon looking at houses for sale in the area. We didn't find anything that was an immediate keeper, but we did learn more about what we would like in a home of our own. It was a good experience seeing a house online and then in person. I am excited that we're looking and that we might be signing contracts by the end of this month. Are we grown-ups now? What are your favorite things about your home?

Strawberry

*Image by dulcelife

Today I ventured to Poteet, Texas for their Strawberry Festival. I was expecting more home-made jam but was delighted to try the shortcake. Fresh whipped cream and strawberries really cannot be beat. One more thing to cross off from my list of things to do in Texas.

Testing

*Image by e-magic

This week has been all about testing at my school. I know that the kids can't wait for it to be over, but I'm right there with them. Active monitoring of tests is great, but so dull when you are monitoring and pacing, pacing and monitoring for six hours at a time. I'm glad that Friday is upon us. I can't wait to get back to normal classroom activities (on Monday, of course).

New

*Image & skirt via L.L.Bean

I associate L.L.Bean with camping and fleece and my school backpacks while I was growing up. Apparently, the company's fashion team has done some growing up or modernizing of their own. I did a double take when I noticed that people were blogging about L.L.Bean and fashion at the same time. These looks aren't half bad, and I bet no one would guess you could find a fun skirt like that in the same place where you can buy these.

Skirts

*Image via Anthropologie

Spring is quickly warming up in San Antonio. Skirt weather is upon us and I couldn't be happier. When I first came to town I couldn't figure out how anyone could stand to wear pants here. The humidity and the heat made it an unbearable thought. Now I've realized that although skirts are lovely outside, the arctic temperatures in my classroom make me think twice. I'm tired of wearing pants every day. Skirt time.

Oops

*Image & tags by kimiko611

Today was a whirlwind, not in a good way either. Last night I was finishing up some last minute grading that was due today and couldn't finish in time. Uggg... I eventually got it done, but the pressure was not pretty. To top it off, my students were in test mode all day working their tails off on the state exam. I spent the first half of the day stressed, and the second half partially relieved. When they finally released kids to the last period of the day I knew that my planned lesson would not go over well. Good learning can't happen after six straight hours of testing.
We're learning about poetry so I found a few videos to show the kids of poetry performances. The first two were great. The third was a doozy. Just because something is produced by PBS, does not make it classroom-safe. I broke out in a cold sweat when the poet on the screen swore, shut off the video, tried my best to make it a teachable moment and later told my administrator with my tail between my legs. Ouch. Only Tuesday.

Sneezy

*Image via Ward-O-Matic

The other day while I was on a lovely morning run I happened upon a field. The field was full of beautifully blooming flowers. In this field of flowers was a farmer (I'm sure he was just a regular guy, but a farmer makes the story better). While I was happily jogging by, the farmer was busily riding his mower. Ever since that day I have been sneezing and sneezing and sneezing. Nothing has stopped this spell of sneezes and to top it off my nose continues to drip. Hopefully something will quell the need to sneeze or at least give me some peace from my nostril-faucet while I am at school. Uggg. This is not the feeling I want to associate with flowers, or healthy exercise for that matter.

Tulips

*Image by ♥siebe ©

Today I get to go buy some tulips to decorate my Easter table. I haven't bought fresh flowers all year so I am excited. However, it is obvious that there are no tulip fields close by San Antonio because the prices are rather high. I guess roses from Mexico and California are easier to come by. I have my heart set on tulips. Funny how something as simple as cut flowers can brighten a room.

Eggs

*Image by ...every.seven...

Lithuanian Easter eggs are, in my opinion, some of the prettiest. In order to make eggs this year I have to do some hunting to find quality egg dyes and bee's wax. I am not sure that I'll make that many, but I do want to dye some eggs for tradition and the fun of it. Amassing supplies for my own Easter set-up might prove to be a challenge but I'm ready. Art supply stores, here I come.

Hunting

*Image & card by winemakerssister

Yesterday I eagerly opened my e-mail to get my first preview of houses for sale in our area. I cannot believe some of the prices here in Texas (unbelievably low compared to Seattle). Aside from building equity, paying a mortgage will be much less expensive than our current rent and we will be home owners. This is so strangely adult - we're grown-ups now aren't we?