Monday, April 22, 2013

It's Better When...

Monday, Monday

Today was a good Monday.

You know those typical Mondays when you dread going to work, when you get there it's hectic, when you have a huge to-do list for the week, and when you are already looking forward to Friday afternoon?  Well today was kinda not one of those days.

Yes, I still groaned when my husband's (super loud) alarm went off 3 times. Yes, I still made a mile-long list to hopefully tackle this week, and yes I am looking forward to Friday already and our plans for the coming weekend.

BUT....this Monday was better than most because....

...getting out of bed is better when you make a hazelnut latte!

...doing your hair is better when you have a brand new cut and style that you love and feels heatlthy! (and getting many compliments throughout the day doesn't hurt either)


...an outfit is better when you include coral, such as adorable wedges and super fun dangly earrings both gifted from your great mom (not to mention the teal scarf as well!)
 

...teaching is better when you get to collaborate with your awesome team.


...driving home is better when you can roll your window down and open the sunroof!


...folding laundry is better when you watch "Friends" :)



....a house is better when it has a roof!

...working out is better when you have brand new, cute, work-out clothes to make you at least feel like you are fit and athletic when you really are gasping for breath and have terrible foot cramps


...biking for 7 miles at the gym is better when your husband encourages you and pushes you to finish strong during the last 5 minutes.

...chicken is better when you add garlic (a little brown sugar doesn't hurt either!)


...dealing with the politics of teaching is better when you have a husband that gives great inspirational speeches to make you feel better.

...and blogging is better when you have readers and comments!

So tell me, what are a few things that can instantly make YOUR day better?




Sunday, April 14, 2013

A Weekend Getaway

Two weeks ago was my spring break. The first part of the week I worked on my lesson plans for 3rd and 4th grade math. I worked a lot. I worked more than I had imagined for my spring break. But...all this work paid off because I knew that at the end of the week I got to escape from it all and spend a few days with my husband on a mini vacation! We found a Groupon for a B&B that was about 7 hours away. We decided to road trip! We stopped so I could get Starbucks of course! :)


 On the way to our B&B we took the scenic route and got to see several fun sights. We found the house his grandparents lived in when he was a little kid. We stopped at a hot springs for an hour. Here is the river and garden view from the springs.


A 300 foot cliff and one of the three bridges that spans it.
 

We made a quick stop at the state schools to document that we had been there.



Our destination

 Isn't it so adorable?!?!

Enjoying our gourmet breakfast.

Yum!



After breakfast, we explored the beautiful property.





 I just love the blooming cherry trees, green shutters, and lantern!

 Hooray for porch swings


Coolest tree ever. I think it's just begging for an awesome tree house.

Guaranteed the kids who used to live in this house climbed the tree all the time!


 Backyard


Make a wish




I think this is a Hobbit house


The carriage house



The Parlor


The Dining Room where we enjoyed delicious gourmet breakfasts.


Our bedroom


The old school across the street. Check out the slide fire-escape!

The school is now a huge antique mall.


Our Groupon included a winery tour in a limo!

Liking the luxury :)


Beautiful country!



On the second day, after breakfast and checking out, we headed to the nearby Space and Aviation Museum! It was really cool.

The Spruce Goose!


Based on the description, we are pretty sure that this is the
German plane that his grandpa shot down in WWII

 A piece of the Berlin Wall...it came down the day I was born.

 Too many buttons, levers, and gauges, no thank you!

Trying to land a space shuttle...maybe he should stick to his current job ;)


 Such a fun getaway with my man! The very thing I needed 
before heading back to work for the rest of the year.

Monday, April 1, 2013

These are a few of my favorite things!

The first day of April and the first day of spring break!

I started my day by diving into the 3rd and 4th grade math curriculum, standards, and lessons. Oi vey, I was overwhelmed. No clue where to start. No idea what these students know. My brain was spinning. So I left the house to run some errands and give my brain a break. This little interlude was just the thing I needed. During my escape, I realized I was getting to experience several of my favorite things!

 warm weather




driving with the sun-roof open

 
coffee


wearing flip-flops, my Rainbows especially
oh, and painted toes! 


 math
while it was causing my headache earlier, I do enjoy lesson planning and I do love math


my husband!
and doing fun things with him, like building a rocket! 

All of these wonderful things helped me get my brain back to normal and ready to tackle the lesson plans again! Maria VonTrapp had it right,  "I simply remember my favorite things, and then I don't feel so bad!"

Are any of my favorites also a favorite of yours?