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Jul 31, 2013

So What Wednesday!

I am linking up with Shannon from Life after I dew for
So What Wednesday
it just seems so fitting after today...

So what if:
  • I skipped boxing today because I am terrified of going to a different trainer.
  • I totally used the F bomb in the office... more than a few times.
  • I definitely listened to Blurred Lines on repeat for the better part of an hour.
  • I sent over 200 text today.
  • I ate a piece of chocolate cake and plan on washing it down with some birthday cake ice cream here shortly.
  • I walked through the new wax on the hallway floor right after the custodial staff put it down.
  • I watched the video of the camel saying its Hump Day WOOOT WOOT trying to cheer myself up today!
  • I have no ironed clothes for tomorrow and its already almost 10 p.m.
  • I was in a crabby mood alllllllll day. Sometimes it just happens!
Don't judge me. :)

What are you saying So what to today??

Go grab the button and link up!





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Liebster Award :)

Award time!! Yeah! So Lindsay over at
Just Keep Teaching
nominated me for the Liebster Award!  



I am pretty excited about this because all Bloggers like recognition and I often wonder...am I writing to myself? Does anyone really see this? I get comments here and there but being a new Blogger - feedback is always great. So thanks Linds!! Of course I was wondering what exactly is this award?! So doing some research I found that this award is to recognize blogs with less than 200 followers & denotes the blog as one that is worth watching. Awww.. how sweet! To accept this award I have to do the following (and those I nominate will need to do the following as well):

1. Link back to the blog that nominated me
2. Nominate 5-11 blogs with fewer than 200 followers
3. Answer the questions posted for you by your nominator
4. Share 11 random facts about yourself
5. Create 11 questions for your nominees
6. Contact your nominees and let them know you nominated them

So here are my questions that Lindsay asked of me:
1. What is your favorite food EVER? 
My favorite food ever... it seems like everything right now is a favorite because I can only eat chicken, lettuce, veggies, turkey, fish, and drink water. This Clean Eating is much harder than I thought but the results have been awesome!

2. Have you ever gone on vacation somewhere you didn't want to come back from?
I just got back from Los Angeles on Wednesday and I LOVED it there. I could definitely see myself living there. 

3. What is your biggest accomplishment in life so far? 
I am fortunate enough to say that I have accomplished many things in my short 32 years. I would have to say that my biggest accomplishment is becoming an administrator after only being in the classroom for 5 years. Another big one is finishing all of my doctoral classes and working on my dissertation. The dissertation will completely trump both of these though when I complete it :)

4. If you had the choice to shop anywhere with unlimited budget- where would you go?
Coach - you can never go wrong with fabulous handbags.

5. What is your greatest piece of advice to new teachers?
Always be yourself. Don't be afraid to let the kids see glimpses of you as a person because they tend to relate better to teachers who they define as "real people". 

6. What did you want to be when you were little? 
I wanted to be an astronaut. 

7. What do you do in your spare time?
Spare time??!  Between writing a dissertation & being a high school administrator so spare time is not really in my vocab. When I do find that occasional down time, I blog, craft, sew (or try to), or watch LOTS of reality TV.

8. Mac or PC? 
MAC all the way!

9. Flying or driving? 
Fly.

10. One word to describe your personality.
Witty.

11 Random facts about me:
1. I still have no idea what I want to be when I grow up.
2. I love baseball.
3. My craft room is the largest room in the entire house.
4. I love my dogs <3
5. I have had over 12 jobs.
6. I dye my hair ALL the time - usually always a different color.
7. I can't live without my iPhone.
8. If I could quit my job to be a full time photographer, I would in a heart beat.
9. I am the only one in my family with brown eyes.
10. I am a sick rapper.
11. I am horrible at math.


My questions for my nominees:
1. What is your dream job?
2. If you won the lottery but couldn't keep a dime, what would you do with the money?
3. iPhone or Android?
4. How long have you been blogging?
5. What inspired you to start blogging?
6. Health food or Junk Food?
7. Dream Car?
8. Favorite Blog?
9. Favorite color or pattern?
10. Dogs or Cats?
11. Last book you read?

And here are my nominees :) Each of these blogs I find great fitness advise, or just an interesting way to connect with other bloggers. I am fond of blogs written in a "real" voice and where your personality comes through. I would definitely stop by and leave them some love - they are some of my favorites :) 

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Fab Chick Gets Fit
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Diary of a Fat Mommy

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Cupcakes and Kickboxing

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Jul 27, 2013

Back to Blogging

I figured I could use a kick-start back into blogland from my little trip to L.A. (I am writing the blog from that shortly).


5 things I have passion for:

1. Education - both mine & others
2. My Family
3. My Dogs
4. Having Fun
5. Photography

5 things to do before I die:

1. Run a 5K the entire time (and I mean run, not trot or stop and go... RUN)
2. Own a vacation home
3. See all the wonders of the world
4. Be a houseguest on Big Brother
5. Visit Paris

5 things I say a lot:

1. Oh, hey! 
2. F*&% - yea, I know..
3. "What were you thinking??"  <usually to students in my office>
4. Um, no.
5. Are you kidding me?

5 books or magazines I've read lately:

1. Shape
2. Teach Like a Pirate
3. US weekly
4. .....
5. ....I'm a bit short on the reading part

5 favorite movies:

1. The Wizard of Oz
2. The Sound of Music
3. La Bamba
4. Ghost
5. Dirty Dancing
What can I say- I love the classics.

5 Places to visit:

1. Los Angles (definitely a top stop from this point forward)
2. Key West (another personal favorite)
3. Seattle - never visited, but I would like too!
4. Washington, D.C. - briefly stopped on a through trip but I'd love to go back and devote some time to taking in the sights and history
5. Italy - I just wanna go!

Well, it is the weekend and I have a baby shower this evening for my first ever BFF. We've been friends for 26 years!!!! I am so excited for her and my cousin (her awesome hubby, pretty cool right?)  on their first little girl who is due soon. I'll also get to working on my L.A. blog.

Enjoy your Saturday!!



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Jul 18, 2013

Finish the sentence: Link Up


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I found this link up over at Where we can live like Jack & Sally and I figured heck.. why not!

If I had one extra hour in the day... I could find even more social media and/or blog sites to lose my time into.

I wish my name... was a little more popular. I mean, can I get some cute stationary that is pre-printed? Perhaps a cup? 


I think anything chevron is... really cute, but definitely not sure about Chevron clothing. I mean that is a pretty darn bold pattern - at least for pretty plus gals.. but I could be wrong.


My last nightmare... involved my boxing trainer beating the crap outta me because I just wasn't paying attention. I mean jab, block, hook - it was like I couldn't move my arms. It definitely stepped my game up today in the ring during training.

Sometimes... I wonder what it would be like to really say what I thought to people. Everyone says honesty is the best policy, but let's get real. Who wants to hear the truth ALL the time? Everyone knows the truth, they just don't always want to hear it.


My last meal on earth would be... A turkey hoagie from Wawa & a Rita's Water Ice


I would much rather... have a tooth drilled on than touch or come near a frog.


Mayonnaise... I miss eating it. But this diet says oh hellllll nawwww!


10 years ago, I didn't think... that AOL instant messenger would ever not be part of my everyday life. Hello, who remembers away messages? They were SO important.


Selfishly... I am OVER THE MOON excited about my trip to Los Angeles this weekend. I have always wanted to go!!


My favorite show on TV right now... Big Brother. Always. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. I swear one day I will apply.


And, George Zimmerman...  I didn't watch the trial nor do I know the facts. While I am educated, I am not even going to pretend to have a law degree like so many are currently pretending to have, so no comment. 



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Throw Back Thursday - Puppies!


Well sitting here in this rainy, thunderstorm-ridden, just plain gross weather I am exploring blogs and getting sucked into so many peoples post, and crafts, and DIY's, and stories. I am loving the world of blogs. I am also digging these linky parties so I am linking up today with Ady from When in Doubt Just Add Glitter, Jenn from Sweet Southern Wife, and Lauren from The Peanut Program. These ladies blogs are packed full of great reads so I suggest visiting their sites. Thanks ladies for hosting this blog-hopping, link up party. It been very helpful for this new blogger :)

So for my throwback - I decided to do my fur-babies puppy pictures. Those who know me, know I love puppies. All puppies - I am an equal opportunity puppy lover. Now some of these puppies have crossed the rainbow bridge already but they are still very much a part of our family.

My first baby, Princess. I bought her about 3 months after I moved out of my parents house. She was love at first sight since I always said I wanted a female sharpei when I moved out and her name would be Princess. Granted I bought her - and didn't have groceries for a few weeks, but I wouldn't change that ever. She was the lover of piggy-treat (she snorted like no other) and long naps, preferably on the couch. I miss her terribly.

My next love is Tater. He was special to me not only because he was so dang cute, but my grandmother who was a breeder gave him to me not long before she passed. He was the coolest dog, a big cuddle bug, and he LOVED his mommy. Him and Princess are chillin over the rainbow bridge till I see them again. I am glad that they are together because they were best friends. 


Then, there is Dolce. Dolce was brought to our home after my husband wanted a "big, manly dog". We picked her up from a free dog ad and she was the last one. Her mother was a majestic white German Shepard and was beautiful. She came into our home and immediately we knew we were in over our heads. She was a handful to say the least. We went through puppy classes (extended ones, might I add) and that curbed some of her craziness. She ate everything, and I mean EVERYTHING. Doors, walls, carpet, drywall, baseboards, carpet, shoes, toys, ... this list could go on and on. She was also uber obsessed with me. I would wake up in the middle of the night and she would be staring at me. She did have "mild" separation anxiety which I am not sure why since we had her from 6 weeks. She was a good dog, who over-loved her mommy but she needed more space so a lady I worked with took her as she had a Shepard. It was heart-breaking because I do not give up on anything but it was what was best for her. I still get updates and she is doing well.

Have I mentioned that my husband is a sucker for animals too? Well this little guy came home with him on a trip from Alabama. His parents are dog breeders and he HAD TO HAVE HIM. It took up forever to come up with a name for him, but he was finally named Weezy F. Baby. He is such a cool dog. Tater hated him when he came to be, but in the end they got along just fine.


Again, my husband the sucker - picture this: in the puppy store and we see this little guy. We wanted a Sharpei and here he was. From the same breeder as Princess and it was all too perfect, except I really didn't want another dog. We had the room, we had the means, but really 5 dogs? I mean too many accessories clutter an outfit and that is 20 paws... But an hour & multiple fits later, our boy Princeton came home with us. I am so glad he did - he is the sweetest dog ever. Scared of everything, but so much personality. And how could anyone resist that face?!

So my husbands parents came to visit one weekend and they brought puppies with them (I mean, seriously people - they know my weakness). I wake up to this precious thing. All 1 pound of her. This is Vera, I knew she was staying at our house even before his mom offered her to me. She is a character and has some major attitude. She is the Diva of the house since she is now the only girl and she lets everyone know it. A cuddler & a daddys girls. 


So our home is complete with our three fur-babies Princeton, Weezy, and Vera. They all have such dynamic personalities and really are my therapy for me after a long day working with 1,900 teenagers! 

Don't forget to Link Up!! 



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What I'm loving Wednesday link party

Today I am trying my first "linking up" with another blog site. It took me a little reading to understand how this works...so here goes! *I hope it is right*

This is What I'm loving Wednesday hosted by Covered in Glitter and Glue : ) 


My Loves today:


1. Ok so I may be trying to get a 2-4-1 here because I am not sure what I am loving more.. the crazy, bright, happy nail polish or the fact that I have my boxing gear on which is equally bright!

2. I love me some sparkles! I love it even more so when in chevron pattern. 

3. I mean who can resist a wrinkle face like that? This is my sweet Princeton who is a 7 year old Sharpei. He is such a loving character who is scared of everything! But those wrinkles are wonderful therapy!

4. I do love to coupon! I love it even more when my binder is all in order and up to date. I spent hours arranging it for the first time and I have just gotten back into it so I am loving the fact that it is caught up and I can start saving big again!

Make sure you go on over to Covered in Glitter and Glue and link up as well! 


Till next time!

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Jul 17, 2013

Scrumptious Pecan Pie Muffins


Hey there & Happy Wednesday! I hope that your week is going great and you've had some times to have a creative outlet or you've been able to whip up something in the kitchen. I am going to share a recipe that was shared with my via a few different friends for Pecan Pie muffins. I am a huge pecan pie fan so these peaked my interest pretty quick. However, I knew that making them would be difficult since I am on a 15 day cleanse (come on Saturday) that has been extremely helpful in jump starting weight loss after a plateau. So here they are - super easy and might I say DELICIOUS!!!!

Pecan Pie Muffins (yields 12)
1 cup light brown sugar
2 cups of chopped pecans
1/2 cup of all purpose flour
2/3 cup of butter softened (or 11 tablespoons - yes, I had to google it to double check)
2 eggs beaten

*Cupcake liners optional



Directions:
1. After chopping the pecans, mix the dry ingredients with the pecans in a separate bowl and set to the side (I mixed them all in my stand mixer aka "Mrs. Sparkles" - I have no idea where it came from but its cute and it fits, plus I love to use the stand mixer).

2. Next beat the butter and eggs together in a bowl (or stand mixer) and beat until thoroughly mixed (about 2 minutes).

3. Add in the dry ingredients and continue to mix until all ingredients have been mixed together. It will be a little thick.

4. In a cupcake or muffin pan lined with cupcake liners (or just greased with Pam) fill each cup half way full with mixture. Then place a full size pecan on the top of each one as pictured.

Bake on 350 degrees for 13-17 minutes


These little babies are amazing! They taste just like pecan pie and if they are not over cooked even have the same texture as the pie, well maybe not as gooey. Quick & Simple, these are gonna be a new household favorite.

I'd love to hear from you if you try them out. I am sure you will love them!


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Jul 15, 2013

Follow me on bloglovin!

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How a healthy meal can go bad.. FAST!


Doesn't that salad look great? If you are trying to watch your weight or even maintaining a healthy lifestyle then you probably have a salad somewhere in your eating schedule. This salad can be filling and low-calorie but what you put on this salad makes all the difference in your caloric intake, sugar intake, carb intake and morph a healthy salad into a calorie, carb, and sugar packed meal when you are really trying to eat healthy.

When I decided it was time for a lifestyle change back in April, I knew it would mean a lot of hard work, dedication, and a lot more time dedicated to figuring out exactly what I am putting in my body. I love salad, but I love dressing even more. I try to buy light, or fat-free; however, usually they taste awful. I am pretty sure I have tried almost every light, fat-free, sugar-free, organic dressing made. So on my search for a tasty, lighter option I have come across two that are pretty good that I definitely recommend!

Olde Cape Cod Balsamic Vinaigrette (OCC) & Marzetti Simply Dress Balsamic (SD) are definitely two of my favorites. Both taste great and are not a terrible crash for that healthy salad. Granted, you do need to measure (I know, I know), but they really are good.
You can see from the side by side that the SD (L) has 9g of fat compared to the OCC (R) & it also has a 50mg more sodium. Now the OCC has more carbs (2g) and more sugar (2g). So it really depends on your personal food intake as to which one could fit better in your diet. I keep these two on hand because some days I can have a higher fat/carb content dressing & some days I really need to watch my fat intake because perhaps I indulged on something else. Either way, these are my picks & both can be picked up at Publix. I am not sure if other stores carry them because I am definitely a Publix snob ;) - okay, that isn't entirely true but they do have the best sales! However, that is for another post. 




Jul 2, 2013

Summer update

I am so terrible at keeping up a blog. As wonderful of an idea I believe the blog is ... I just suck at keeping up.

However, it is summer time - each educators favorite time of the year so I guess I should put forth a bit of effort. I have completed several cute projects and lot of cooking adventures so I guess I could get some new post up soon. I also want to get more versatile in the blogging world so I can have some more flexibility when designing and creating post. It does have to be cute after all ;-)

So far the summer has flown by. No big plans this summer other than trainings, going to Los Angeles (!!!!!) for a seminar for work, taking in some Lil' Wayne at his concert, and losing some weight. Yes, actually sticking to a plan and losing this weight finally. I started boxing over a week ago and it has been an awesome experience. I've gained quite a bit of strength in a little over a week and I can definitely see results. I started attending the gym back in April - thank goodness!! - because boxing is pretty demanding. Thus far I am down 15 pounds! Woot Woot! Not bad if I do say so myself!