I've learned some tricks for getting ahead that I'd like to share....
1. Casseroles.
This trickiest part about casseroles is to find some that aren't drenched in cheese and 3/4 pasta. I have found some that I really like on myrecipes.com. They have a link with light casseroles. Yessssss. Slow cooker meals are a great too. I cook 1 or 2 on Sunday and put half in the freezer, half in individualized tupperware for the week's lunches and dinners. It's just like a frozen dinner without all the preservatives.
2. Breakfast to-go
No, not from a fast food restaurant, but made in advance. I heat it up in the morning to liven up my 25 minute drive to work that just keeps getting longer some how. Ugh. I like making breakfast tacos with an egg white and egg mixture with turkey bacon. I'm about to add another egg breakfast compliments of my dear friend Alli: Omelets in a bag! It's genius! You put 2 eggs plus the toppings you would like in your omelet. Shake it up. Last, you just put the bag in boiling water for 13 minutes and voila - Omelet. In my opinion, I think it's better than a real omelet because it came out perfectly moist. Maybe I just haven't perfected cooking an omelet in a skillet, but I always over cook it on the outside and it just tastes gross. So thanks Alli, you've given me another recipe that will help me hit the snooze at least 2 more times!! Love you!
3. Lists.
If you know me at all, you'll know my love for lists and post-it notes.
I make lists for everything. Lists help me sleep at night. They help me priorotize. They make me feel productive. They make me feel in control. I would like to get better at making a shopping list in advance and sticking to it. I get so distracted at grocery stores, especially if I'm at a Super store. Isles of stuff I never knew I needed surround me! I think I just discovered my goal for my next grocery shopping trip: stick to my list. I always have one, but I never adhere to it at a grocery store.
Off to shower and wash my hair tonight. That will definitely give me an extra slam on the snooze tomorrow.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Socks
Have you ever noticed that you can tell a lot about a person by what kind of socks they wear?
For instance, you know someone wearing snug below-the-ankle socks is definitely under the age of 30 and at least moderately aware of their appearance. If they are athletic, they probably have special cushion on it or maybe a brand name.
Ankle socks indicate over the age of 30, but trying new things. I have noticed many women in their 40's-50's wearing the ankle socks... it's like they're almost there, but just can't bring themselves to wear what all the young kids wear.
Now, my personal fav would have to be the above-ankle socks with a scrunch. Ohhh, the scrunch... this person has absolutely no regard for current trends or style and could possibly fall into any age bracket. Yes, people, unfortunately any age bracket.
The gym is the best place to sock-watch. I do this a lot when I'm trying not to watch the clock on the treadmill. I also check the socks when I see a cute guy. In order, 1.) check socks to determine age and how aware he is of society 2.) check for ring 3.) check out muscle definition, just for fun.
Next time you're people-watching, look at the socks for a glimpse of a stranger's personality. Trust me, the imagination can easily start at the socks.
For instance, you know someone wearing snug below-the-ankle socks is definitely under the age of 30 and at least moderately aware of their appearance. If they are athletic, they probably have special cushion on it or maybe a brand name.
Ankle socks indicate over the age of 30, but trying new things. I have noticed many women in their 40's-50's wearing the ankle socks... it's like they're almost there, but just can't bring themselves to wear what all the young kids wear.
Now, my personal fav would have to be the above-ankle socks with a scrunch. Ohhh, the scrunch... this person has absolutely no regard for current trends or style and could possibly fall into any age bracket. Yes, people, unfortunately any age bracket.
The gym is the best place to sock-watch. I do this a lot when I'm trying not to watch the clock on the treadmill. I also check the socks when I see a cute guy. In order, 1.) check socks to determine age and how aware he is of society 2.) check for ring 3.) check out muscle definition, just for fun.
Next time you're people-watching, look at the socks for a glimpse of a stranger's personality. Trust me, the imagination can easily start at the socks.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Kid Quotes #1
I always enjoy hearing funny kid quotes and have always said I should write down the crazy stuff I hear. Honestly, who doesn't love those forwards with all the cute and ridiculous quotes from kids under the age of 8?
Here's the start of my collection from my first few weeks from school:
Kid Quote #1
Me: What do you want to be when you grow up?
Kid: I want to be an astronaut. I want to be the first person on Mars.
Me: That is so cool! I can’t wait to see you on TV someday.
Kid: If you’re alive by then…
Me: haha, I hope I am.
Kid: Well, I’m just making common sense. You’re an adult and I’m a kid. When I’m an adult, you’ll most likely be dead.
Me: Gulp.
Kid Quote #2
Me: What is another word that means the same as “SINGULAR”?
Kid responds with: seis
Kid Quote #3
Me: Do you do that often?
Kid: offense? We play defense.
* this is why I love my job *
Not Joking
I was not joking about the fact that my life turns up side down come August and June. From 900 mph to -90 mph. My body is still adjusting.
This year, I have made several goals for myself. Both professionally (I won't bore you with those... ) and personally. By personally, I mean bettering my life outside of work. I'm not even going to include losing those 7 lbs I somehow acquired... that just goes without saying.
GOALS:
1. I will include my hobbies throughout the school year, not just June-July. Meaning, I will continue to cook, craft, and try new hobbies/activities. It will be on a smaller scale, but I feel hobbies help build a person's character as well as help us relax. It's like meditation for a busy body. There's no way I could "find my zen" and sit still for more than 1 minute... so I can reap the same benefits from doing things I like that don't involve paperwork or mind boggling procedures.
2. Read books. I'm not going to give myself a number, because that will be too much pressure when the busy weeks happen, but I want to keep reading.
3. Keep my work out schedule. Right now I am loving a Tues-Thurs work out class that I've only missed once since school started! I also want to look into 1ok's when the weather gets much less than scorching.
That's good for now... Don't want to get ahead of myself since the last school year I did not do any of #1 or #2.
This year, I have made several goals for myself. Both professionally (I won't bore you with those... ) and personally. By personally, I mean bettering my life outside of work. I'm not even going to include losing those 7 lbs I somehow acquired... that just goes without saying.
GOALS:
1. I will include my hobbies throughout the school year, not just June-July. Meaning, I will continue to cook, craft, and try new hobbies/activities. It will be on a smaller scale, but I feel hobbies help build a person's character as well as help us relax. It's like meditation for a busy body. There's no way I could "find my zen" and sit still for more than 1 minute... so I can reap the same benefits from doing things I like that don't involve paperwork or mind boggling procedures.
2. Read books. I'm not going to give myself a number, because that will be too much pressure when the busy weeks happen, but I want to keep reading.
3. Keep my work out schedule. Right now I am loving a Tues-Thurs work out class that I've only missed once since school started! I also want to look into 1ok's when the weather gets much less than scorching.
That's good for now... Don't want to get ahead of myself since the last school year I did not do any of #1 or #2.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Here we go!
Back to school!
... life is going to get busy again. Already has, in fact.
The week before school reminds me of Work Week for Rush in my college sorority. We would spend so much time anticipating the next group of younger girls. The more I think about it, the more associations I make with work week and the week before school starts. Although I hated work week, I like the week before school starts.
Work week in the sorority -- Week before school starts
1. Study the incoming girls -- Study the incoming students
2. Decorate the sorority house -- Decorate your classroom
3. Get to know your fellow sorority sisters and rekindle friendships after the summer -- catch up with teacher friends about their summers
4. Sit in many group meetings that seem incredibly pointless at the time -- sit in endless hours of trainings and meetings that seem pointless at the time but ultimately increase your "teacher efficacy" (new phrase we got on Tuesday)
5. Trapped in the house all day with no allowed contact with boys -- too exhausted to do anything social after trainings/working in your classroom.
6. Coke dates -- happy hours
7. One word, icebreakers (I still don't enjoy those)
8. Sing sorority songs -- sing school songs and songs for learning. "A for Apple, A - A - A..."
9. Attend the kick-off for all sororities -- Attend convocation (there is a difference here; kick-off was at night, convocation was at the butt-crack of dawn)
10. Excitement for Rush to start (and for me, excited for it to end) -- Excitement to see my kiddos again :)
... life is going to get busy again. Already has, in fact.
The week before school reminds me of Work Week for Rush in my college sorority. We would spend so much time anticipating the next group of younger girls. The more I think about it, the more associations I make with work week and the week before school starts. Although I hated work week, I like the week before school starts.
Work week in the sorority -- Week before school starts
1. Study the incoming girls -- Study the incoming students
2. Decorate the sorority house -- Decorate your classroom
3. Get to know your fellow sorority sisters and rekindle friendships after the summer -- catch up with teacher friends about their summers
4. Sit in many group meetings that seem incredibly pointless at the time -- sit in endless hours of trainings and meetings that seem pointless at the time but ultimately increase your "teacher efficacy" (new phrase we got on Tuesday)
5. Trapped in the house all day with no allowed contact with boys -- too exhausted to do anything social after trainings/working in your classroom.
6. Coke dates -- happy hours
7. One word, icebreakers (I still don't enjoy those)
8. Sing sorority songs -- sing school songs and songs for learning. "A for Apple, A - A - A..."
9. Attend the kick-off for all sororities -- Attend convocation (there is a difference here; kick-off was at night, convocation was at the butt-crack of dawn)
10. Excitement for Rush to start (and for me, excited for it to end) -- Excitement to see my kiddos again :)
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Don't Look Back in Anger...
I heard this song on the way back from Oklahoma and I decided to try and adopt the title as a motto for the crappy week I just had. Just as I was getting over hating myself over the car incident last week, I experienced a woman's worst nightmare: My purse was stolen. Again, something that could have been prevented if I was more careful, but I know, that not one girl could honestly say they always, 100% of the time, have their purse on them. So I'm trying to just accept that it happened and move on without being so dad gum ticked off. Don't look back in anger.
Let me paint the picture for you:
After the post-rehearsal dinner live music & wine party, a large group of friends went to the hotel bar for some cocktails and more catching up. It was a small area, and our group definitely dominated the space... just adding to my comfort level to leave my purse on a chair. We were not there very long before we decided to call it a night. At this point, one would typically grab their purse and head up to the hotel room.
This is when the panic set in. I had not left the 5 foot radius I was standing in... not even to go to the bathroom. I looked under tables, in the bathroom, under chairs... many other people starting helping and the hotel security guard also searched the bar and lobby. No luck. It was stolen.
I had heard in the past that when you are robbed you feel very vulnerable and violated. I didn't think those emotions would apply to a purse, but it certainly did. I laid awake all night feeling that very way. Someone could (and most likely was) looking at all my personal information. Sickening. I consider myself a glass half full kind of gal, so I tried to focus on the positive:
1. E had the car keys (that would be the keys to my rental from my earlier incident)
2. The hotel was already paid for
3. I was with E and many friends who could help me out
4. I had just cleaned out my purse and taken out important things like my work badge, my iPod, important papers for work, checkbook, etc.
5. I downloaded the pictures from my camera before I left
See, there is a silver lining. Regardless, I pretty much hated humanity that night and felt depressed Saturday morning. E tried to cheer me up by driving us to Norman to show him (a staunch Texas fan no less) OU and my favorite college town full of memories.
"Larceny" (what the police officer said, for some reason it made it seem like a much bigger deal) aside, the weekend was a lot of fun. The wedding was absolutely gorgeous and. The ceremony was incredibly beautiful. They had a vocalist with a very folksy, deep voice that sang several songs. This song was my favorite! I wish I could have taken a picture of how Emily looked coming down the isle. (no camera, remember. grr... don't look back in anger...) She looked so peaceful and happy. The church faced west, so when she was standing in front of the windows before she walked down the aisle, her floor-length veil was illuminated by the sun and she looked almost heavenly, like an angel. Gorgeous. Oh, and she walked down the aisle to bagpipes!! The bagpipe player was in a kilt and everything. It was awesome!
The reception was a blast with lots of old friends from high school and college. Live band. Great food. We threw bird seed when they left which I have never done. Everyone after-partied at one the usher's house that was just like a house party in college. Keg in the garage and music from a laptop attached to huge speakers and everything. :)
Highlights:
- Seeing so many old friends
- Showing E around OU and Norman on a gorgeous day
- Listening to E try and pronounce all the Indian words. Thinking about that still makes me laugh
- Watching the beautiful ceremony
- E and I being the first on the dance floor. Just us and the kids dancing to the Beatles, "I Saw Her Standing There"
- Reason to upgrade my old iPhone to the new one :)
Let me paint the picture for you:
After the post-rehearsal dinner live music & wine party, a large group of friends went to the hotel bar for some cocktails and more catching up. It was a small area, and our group definitely dominated the space... just adding to my comfort level to leave my purse on a chair. We were not there very long before we decided to call it a night. At this point, one would typically grab their purse and head up to the hotel room.
This is when the panic set in. I had not left the 5 foot radius I was standing in... not even to go to the bathroom. I looked under tables, in the bathroom, under chairs... many other people starting helping and the hotel security guard also searched the bar and lobby. No luck. It was stolen.
I had heard in the past that when you are robbed you feel very vulnerable and violated. I didn't think those emotions would apply to a purse, but it certainly did. I laid awake all night feeling that very way. Someone could (and most likely was) looking at all my personal information. Sickening. I consider myself a glass half full kind of gal, so I tried to focus on the positive:
1. E had the car keys (that would be the keys to my rental from my earlier incident)
2. The hotel was already paid for
3. I was with E and many friends who could help me out
4. I had just cleaned out my purse and taken out important things like my work badge, my iPod, important papers for work, checkbook, etc.
5. I downloaded the pictures from my camera before I left
See, there is a silver lining. Regardless, I pretty much hated humanity that night and felt depressed Saturday morning. E tried to cheer me up by driving us to Norman to show him (a staunch Texas fan no less) OU and my favorite college town full of memories.
"Larceny" (what the police officer said, for some reason it made it seem like a much bigger deal) aside, the weekend was a lot of fun. The wedding was absolutely gorgeous and. The ceremony was incredibly beautiful. They had a vocalist with a very folksy, deep voice that sang several songs. This song was my favorite! I wish I could have taken a picture of how Emily looked coming down the isle. (no camera, remember. grr... don't look back in anger...) She looked so peaceful and happy. The church faced west, so when she was standing in front of the windows before she walked down the aisle, her floor-length veil was illuminated by the sun and she looked almost heavenly, like an angel. Gorgeous. Oh, and she walked down the aisle to bagpipes!! The bagpipe player was in a kilt and everything. It was awesome!
The reception was a blast with lots of old friends from high school and college. Live band. Great food. We threw bird seed when they left which I have never done. Everyone after-partied at one the usher's house that was just like a house party in college. Keg in the garage and music from a laptop attached to huge speakers and everything. :)
Highlights:
- Seeing so many old friends
- Showing E around OU and Norman on a gorgeous day
- Listening to E try and pronounce all the Indian words. Thinking about that still makes me laugh
- Watching the beautiful ceremony
- E and I being the first on the dance floor. Just us and the kids dancing to the Beatles, "I Saw Her Standing There"
- Reason to upgrade my old iPhone to the new one :)
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Reality Check
I ran across this photo website today. Someone took pictures with fairy tale princesses and the reality ending, not the happy ever after ending. Check the series out at Fallen Princesses
Here's a preview of what really happened to Snow White...
Here's a preview of what really happened to Snow White...
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