Yoga

*Image by BACLORI

We have a new Monday night routine and I'm really enjoying it. Coming home from the first work day of the week, we pack up our gym bags for a quick swim and end the evening with yoga. I was really excited that after the first time I invited my husband to yoga that he actually wanted to go back. Now I really look forward to my Monday nights. Do you exercise with anyone?

Guest

*Image & dress via Bloomingdale's

I can't decide how I feel about this dress. It looks like it could be nice and is a steal at over 50% off. I need something fancy to wear to my cousin's wedding in Chicago this November, I just don't know if this dress is it. It has pockets, which is a bonus and I like the detailing, I just can't decide if it has the wow-factor I'm going for. The price is nice, but I need a second opinion. Does this dress wow you?

109

*Image by fuzzytractor

Today the temperature got up to 109. This is not normal, people should not live in places where the temperature gets this hot. It got up to 110 in Austin, where we ran a 5k this morning. When it is 90 degrees at 9 o'clock in the morning, running is hard work. I can't wait to take a stroll in Portland next weekend, I am so looking forward to the weather! Ok, it is official - I looked online and San Antonio did hit 110 today around 2 o'clock. That is nuts.

Banjo

*Image by squirlraptor

Last night I rushed home after school to get ready for a night out. We went to a nice restaurant downtown to take advantage of restaurant week in SA. After meeting friends for dinner we walked to the Majestic to see Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers play a bluegrass show. It was a fantastic show and reminds me that I haven't seen nearly enough live music since leaving Seattle. Tonight we're heading out for another restaurant week dinner and I'm excited. Tomorrow we wake early and head into Austin for a 5k fun run with some people in Trevor's program. I can't believe that my weekend is so booked! What are you doing this weekend?

Hullo

*Image & card by Cursiveart

I'm still around, just getting into the swing of things. I'll hopefully be back on track next week. Ahhh, the first days of school. How is your week so far?

Magnet

*Image & magnet/button by Beanforest

This is so my style. Too bad I am not supposed to hang up failing student work in the classroom. I think that this magnet (or the button even) might find its way into my classroom this year. Are you a fan of grammar?

Silhouette

*Image & dress via The Outnet

The silhouette of this dress is almost an exact replica of a dress I found at the Salvation Army for a whopping $3.50. The dress I scored is a vintage, turquoise silk, Maggy London from the 80s and was 50% off when I bought it. I need to shorten the hem a bit to bring it up to date and am thinking of making the collar a bit more of a boat neck. Those are the only two alterations I think it needs to jump forward a few decades. Because it's silk, I think I'll leave the work to a true professional. Have you stumbled upon any gems lately?

Custom

*Image & Postcup by Bailey Doesn't Bark

What a clever idea - a letter that you write on a mug. I like this format for a constant reminder of your love, of who you are missing, of who is thinking of you along with your morning coffee or tea. It seems simple enough, but this is something I can see making and sending. I want to get my hands on one of those porcelaine pens! Is it the idea of the letter that makes this mug special, or is this just another cheesy gift?

Flattery

*Image by Ephemera

That envelope is sitting in my house amongst a few other beautiful pieces of mail. I was so surprised to see my name and the following comment on Tara's blog, "Calligraphy detail shot. Don’t you wish your name was Vilija? I love how it looks here." Shucks!

Seat

*Image & print by IntheDivide

School starts on Monday for students and I won't know who is officially in my classes until tomorrow. That makes for easy seating charts right? I guess I'll just go with the old standby of alphabetical order or something clever. At least I have the weekend to relax right?

Roasted

*Image by Michael Alexander Photography

When I got home yesterday I was pleasantly surprised. Not only was my husband cooking an exceptional dinner, he was making my favorite soup. Roasted garlic soup from the Hopvine was a springtime treat. I had it for dinner yesterday and it was perfect. Oh yes. And, it gets better. Something inspired him to bake a flourless chocolate cake for dessert. I'm glad this inspiration doesn't hit every day otherwise I would start looking like a Texan (that is a slight to the fit people I know from TX for sure). What culinary delights or surprises have you experienced recently?

Time

*Image & clocks via West Elm

Time is speeding up on me. It's already Wednesday and children are back in school in a few short days. I've been in my classroom working hard on setting up for my new classes. I'm not used to being up before the sun yet and am slowly becoming accustomed to my routine again. I wonder how long it will take to get back into the swing of things. How long does it take you to get back into a routine once you've been derailed for a while?

Fan

*Image by Superbaka

Today is my first day back to work. Things are going to be interesting this year and there will be much juggling and adjusting to changes on campus and new responsibilities. I've already spent some time working in my classroom trying to get things settled and ready for my students. Luckily I still have a week to get settled in. Today it hits the fan. Anything exciting happening for you?

Monday

*Image & print by MommyMakes

That's right folks, I'm back to school on Monday with students arriving in two short weeks. I'm taking the weekend off from blogging to get my very last bits of relaxation in before I am faced with a new batch of students and challenges. How are you spending the weekend?

Dork

*Image & lunch box via Paper Source

Wouldn't this be an awesome lunch box to carry around school? Yes, I am still thinking this because I need a lunch box to carry around school. I might as well entertain myself if the year is going to be tough, right? Would you admire a teacher with a lunch box this cool?

Storm

*Image & painting by Luckyhemlock

School starts soon and I am already feeling the effects. I have already cried for myself and my students this year and what we all will miss out on. I don't know what else to say or who else to talk to, but you can bet I'm paying my union dues this year just to have representation in my back pocket. Summer went by too quickly and I am sad for the beginning of the school year because I already feel defeated. How are you feeling?

Bum

*Image & print by ilovedoodle

Today I have done a bit of painting for my art in the mail project and a whole lot more of nothing. Tomorrow I have a planning day for school and next week my blissful relaxation in pajamas all day is over. I'm a bum today and I'm fine with that. How do you relish those last vacation days?

Saturday

*Image & bunting by CelebrateWithFun

Yesterday a friend and co-worker of mine got married. I'm new to weddings in Texas, and apparently this was representative of local weddings and gave me another perspective on my town. The ceremony was at a church with a beautiful view at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. The reception, however, was at 6 pm all the way across town. No, it would not take three hours to get to the reception, but what were we supposed to do? I'll tell you what I did - we drove home, I took off my dress, put on PJs, proceeded to eat leftovers and took a nap. I'm not sure if that is what we were supposed to do, but it worked for me. The best part was, all I had to do to get ready for the reception was to put the dress back on and walk out the door. My earlier primping to get ready survived the nap and I was good to go. Have you ever been to a wedding that was an all-day affair?

Supplies

*Image & library cards by knotandbow

Oh my goodness, I am such a geek! I want library cards. I think I might get these for my classroom just because I can. Can you blame me?

Chocolate chip

*Image by Alison OR Sean

Today I am baking chocolate chip cookies (speaking of all of the baking euphemisms from yesterday's post). Of all of the things that are a given, when Jeremy is around so are chocolate chip cookies. I remember this boy as a 7th grader kniving for some way to get freshly baked cookies from anyone who could mix batter. Now he's on a cross-country road trip touring baseball fields and of course, I'm baking cookies. What would I cook if you were the guest coming to visit?

Muffin

*Image & Onesie by Teesies

Last night a little muffin was born, literally. He came early but is reportedly ok. This 5lb 14oz guy and his mama are doing fine even though we thought he would bake until the end of the month. As of now, his name is still TBA and he has been referred to as muffin in utero so the nickname sticks. Looks like he'll need a little oxygen but everything else is fine. I'm just glad that the baby shower was last weekend! Give all of your little muffins a squeeze for me. For those of you still baking your own muffins, I miss you dearly. (Yeah, and those of you ummm... still mixing up the batter? Is that too much?) What news has greeted you this Wednesday morning?

Oceanic

*Image & art by misval

I have a lovely watercolor painted by my little brother, but have yet to frame it because it is extremely large and not at all standard. My husband said that he would experiment with cutting our own frames with his miter saw, but it is excessively hot outside and spending time in the garage is a punishment. I would love to finally frame that piece and have my eye on a few places to display it. I'm daydreaming about where it could go and with decorating in general. Where do you display your art?

Review

*Image by ~bear

Today I get back comments on the five weeks of lessons I planned to start the school year. Can you tell I'm excited? This is going to be my last year at this school because I can't take it anymore (and school hasn't even started! I don't even have students yet!). I have found solace in that thought and will do my best not to complain too much about work. I will also try to challenge and inspire my kids beyond the test whenever I can (because we all know it's about the test, right). Luckily, I still want to be a teacher. I have to relish my summer because the countdown has begun. Any sage advice?