Hi! I am a kindergarten teacher in the Dallas area. This is my 6th year teaching kindergarten and I love it! Other than teaching I love playing with my puppy, photography, music, DIYing, and pinning via pinterest. :)
HOLY COW! It's is 3:20 on Friday yet? Could this week go ANY slower? Kids are done, I am done... all makes for a very educational day.
In my free time I've been checking out my secret obsession, Pintrest, for decoration ideas for our party were having on Saturday. I have been very successful and am excited to DIY on Friday and Saturday. I am even MORE excited to spend time with wonderful friends that I am very thankful for! John is going to make a fancy turkey courtesy of the Alton Brown. (Johns cookspiration)
Anyhoo-- very excited about this.
Not as excited about making 130 pumpkin gingerbread muffins tonight... sigh.
No, I am not referring to the new remake of the movie Footloose. It is a remake, right? I haven't even seen a preview, nor really care to. EH! What I am referring to is the song-- and an 80s charity event/party for the organization paws in the city. I went with my good friend, Miss Lindsay Springer and 2 of her friends...who became new friends of mine! Definately a fun night! We dressed up 80s style, and I was even nominated to be a contestant in the costume contest... might have been one of the most embarrassing moments of my life, hands down! Anyway, fun times and for a good cause---good night! :) Here are some pictures from the evening!
We went to Houston this past weekend for John's birthday weekend. It was so nice to get out of town and have a break from the busy life we have had going on. I thought I would share some photos of the highlights of our extended weekend.
1. Before heading to Houston we had a Birthday HH/Dinner gathering with friends from work. John also got a yuuuuummmy cookie cake!
2. While in Houston we went birthday shopping!! I couldn't convince John that this would be a perfect purchase for him....
3. We (I!!!!!!) ate fried ALLIGATOR! Might be one of the strangest meats i can say i have attempted to eat, but it was pleasantly delish!
4. At the RENFEST we saw: creepers, old friends and even made some new friends!!!
5. I RODE AN ELEPHANT!!! (video to come soon)
6. Lastly, a goodbye elevator shot!
Such a fun weekend... a few things learned...
a. Houston stinks... and i need to remind myself of that when I complain about living in Dallas.
b. I have such a ball with my boyfriend :) No matter what strange event we may be at.
Well- I had a very extended weekend. Thursday- Sunday... due to an unexpected Gallstone/Ulcer/??? scare. I had to spend several hours at my Dr office on Thursday after leaving work early Thursday morning in tears. One Dr. appointment turned into a referral to a specialist who charged me $50 to speak to their PA... um, unfair? I am thinking I will be calling the office/insurance company tomorrow. Anywhoo, ultra sounds later we still have no clue what my issue is... therefore I am beginning a very clean food diet/journal to weed out potential foods that may cause me to feel like death.
So, after my 3-day work week I am about to begin my 4-day work week with a field trip thrown in there too.. muwhahaa, so excited!!! Thursday is Johns big 2-9 th birthday, so were going to go to dinner somewhere special and then head out for Houston Texas on Friday morning. I got a pretty sweet deal on a hotel near the galleria and were going to do some shopping while were there! On Saturday we are going to the Texas Renaissance festival... John and his best friend live for these things so... should be fun!!! I am sort of excited this time because it is Halloween weekend so we get to dress up in costumes! Were going as a band of gypsies.
I found a cuuuute costume
However it is impossible to find a male gypsy costume... it's a little frustrating! Hopefully we will piece something together soon though. Should be a fun weekend! :)
And I was at the clinching game-- can you say AWESOME! Well, it was pretty epic.
We had ladies night at the ballpark on Saturday. Two of my new girl friends at work. :) Total blast-- and definitely made me think that i may actually enjoy baseball games for more than just the beer and hotdogs from now on! YAY!
In other sports news, the Dallas Cowboys are breaking my heart. I can honestly say I am proud of how my team played today. The were great. But not good enough I guess. They lost the game in the final 30 seconds or so... and I couldn't help but be so sad for them.
Well, heres to Sunday nights... depressing as they are... may the countdown to next weekend start, NOW.
Well, here I am again... getting ready to hop back onto the healthy train. I swear, it doesn't matter when in the year it is, I will always have an excuse why I am too busy to work out. Well, that has got to end! And why not now, while the best motivational TV show is on!! ((biggest loser, of course)) So, I am making the choice to start on probably one of the busiest weeks of the year to start working out again. I cannot decide if i really want to commit to p90 again, because, 6 days a week is a big commitment and time consuming... but, shouldn't getting healthy and back to that ideal size (that when i was that size was never content and always wanted to be "thinner", typical girl.) be time consuming, and as my love would call it-- a lifestyle change. I know Bob Harper would slap me and tell me to get over it and commit to it. Too bad he can't come and scare me for 12 weeks, right!?
Holy MOLY! This weather has been so wonderful these past two days. Makes me so very anxious for the wonderful fall weather. I am definitely over the 100+ temperatures.
This weekend was just a much needed blessing. So good to see friends, relax, SLEEP IN, and just enjoy time with my love. :)
I am pretty much failing in the blogging world these days. And even worse, I have gotten absolutely nothing done with my photog business. Which is not going along with my plan, but that's life I guess?
Well, we've officially survived the first week of school. I'll leave it at this, it was a beating. John keeps reminding me that I feel this way every year... but I am not sure that I do. I spent the majority of this weekend working in my room to insure I am not running around like a crazy person during the day/after school is out. We have HUGE class sizes, which has brought us to acquiring another kindergarten teacher. Well be splitting our classes at the end of this week- Hopefully this week flows a little better than the last!
Aside from school news, which I could go on about...for.ev.er. I am very excited about next weekend, YES Already! Were going to the first CHS home football game & spaghetti dinner. Allie, my old sophomore, that I used to babysit like...10 years ago... is a lariette (drill team) and this is their big annual fundraiser. It should be fun times! Were hoping that our new friends will join us! :) Im also excited about tomorrow night! I get to see my lovely girl friend Mel and have wine, watch bachelor pad, and just catch up. :) So excited!!! Hopefully I will still be awake by then! Jenna and I are starting P90 tomorrow... eeeepa!
I am so ready for FALL!!! Its my favorite season and I am SO ready for this heat to go away!! Here are a few things I am looking forward to..
Well, school is back in full swing- This week is just for the teachers, meetings, parent teacher night, etc.... it really just gets me so excited to meet my kiddos for the year. Potentially a TON of them, but so excited! I can't wait until next week!! :D
We are having a "Ciao Summer" party Friday night and I'm pretty pumped about that too! John makes DELICIOUS homemade pizzas, so were having an italian theme. I think it'll be good times for all and there will DEF be some awesome pictures!
When I got home this evening I stumbled upon this little guy on TV:
His name is Josiah, which in Hebrew means "God has healed". He suffers from an illness called Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria syndrome. Basically he ages at a rapid pace (think of the movie "Jack" or "Benjamin Button") His story is heart breaking yet amazing. Just a reminder of how wonderful children are. You can read about him on ESPN . His story just touched my heart... maybe it will yours as well.
I can't believe the summer is over... such large aspirations a the beginning, and always sad to look at what little you achieved. Hopefully this post will encourage me to post again????
I am excited to share that I will be at Addison Improv tonight seeing Pauly Shore!!! I am very excited, not as excited as John who has been quoting him for the past few days, but excited!! We are going with my lovely lady friend Lindsay and her awesome sister Mary! Should be super fun times! I have only been to Improv once, and I loved it-- prob the hardest i've laughed, ever.
I went up to school today and worked on my room. Surprisingly accomplished a lot... which for me is a miracle! I got the classroom arranged close to complete. (if you know me, that will change several times throughout the year, BUT is the way I want it for now) So I am proud to say that. In previous years I try to get my room done in July and not bother coming back up until staff development, like another mini break-- well see if I can accomplish this!
Welp. I did it... I made my first mattress purchase of my life. I have been sleeping on a ridiculously old mattress my mom bought... possibly 15 years ago. It's reached a point where, i now blame the mattress for my recently developed insomnia. Now, you'd think this was my first ever "grown up" purchase by the way I have been feeling all day. A few words to describe: anxious, stressed, numb, excited, and the list could go on. For now, I will focus on the not exciting fact that I will surely have another sleepless night since I do not receive the mattress until tomorrow. Exciting fact, tonight is my last night on the small, uncomfortable thing and then Ill have my beautiful, brand new, sure to ensure quality nights sleep, in my bedroom. However, this is not my first, and surely the last "grown up" purchase, but I did pay cash for the thing which makes this here teacher a little tight on the money for an entire month... Who wants to come play wii or watch netflix with this girl?!? Pool?!?! any takers?! sigh... Another downfall with exciting purchases that aren't complete is the fact that I am dying to complete the bedroom now.
MUST.BE.PATIENT.
Until then, I will just visit my cute, soon-to-be, complete bed at potterybarn.com.
In other news, John has been helping me complete my new business website, I applied for a Texas Tax ID, registered for my client site, began my photography blog. We've been busy bees!
One of the things I have known/am being reminded of is how much I truly love to capture my dogs on film. I toy with the idea of sticking with this and only shooting (photographs/not bullets) dogs. Then I start thinking-- who really wants to have/pay money for pictures of their dog or cat! However, you have people like me and several of my friends whose animal is their child... and why wouldn't people want quality photos of their "kid". Well, all that to say.... Dakota was playing withwhat I think to be his best friend-- a bright green tennis ball. OH BOY. Little background: He absolutely loves playing with balls whether it's a tennis ball, raquet ball, or huge toy ball-- the dog is in heaven. No lie, we tried to hide one from him once and he opened up the ottoman (It was one of the storage type) and got the ball out and ran away. The guy is obsessed! I am actually watching him plan how to retrieve his ball that he lost to the couch.
That is the best 2 words to describe me lately... "busy bee"... haha, yeah right- total joke. No excuse as to why i've been so neglectful via blog world lately other than just not much to say. Which even today is the deal. Anyhoo--- a few new things....
1. my recent obsession : These women inspire me so much. Discovered them this season on The Biggest Loser. I caught myself telling John the other day how much I miss them every wednesday because they were a reminder of my goals and encouraged me, without even knowing, to become healthier and live a new lifestyle. A day or two after saying this to the bf I saw via twitter that Hannah had posted a link to their brand new blog!!! SO EXCITING.
2. To follow up #1- I have learned to enjoy Twitter!! For the longest time it's overwhelmed me. I had an account...but honestly, sort of steered clear of it. Needless to say, I have overcome my fear and really enjoy following some of my FAV celebs! However--- also get annoyed/entertained by people who "over tweet"... yea.. it's possible!
3. I have realized this summer that it is almost impossible for me to finish anything I start. :( JB pointed this out to me yesterday and he is so right. WELL STINK! Some examples: P90x (made it 5-ish weeks and got busy with a move). My DIY Projects--- start them, but havent quite gotten around to completing. Books. You name it... I've probably started it and am "working" on completing it. grrrrr......
4. Speaking of starting things... I started the Couch to 5k program. I am hoping in 9 weeks I will be able to tell you I finished it too. Could be the first?? Well see. So far, I am really loving it! One of my "resolutions" or goals for this year was to run a 5k... WELP im working on it!! day 1 was quite depressing, let me tell you. I had a sore groin, I have had weak ankles since my soccer days, and I was just plain out of shape! I was walking weird for 2 days and was just in pain. PATHETIC-- I am 26!!! That is not old!! But, I guess I am learning things change and it takes my body longer to recover in my late 20s (depressing). I finished day 2 earlier this morning on the tredmill. TOTALLY different feeling! I really enjoyed it and caught myself thinking how I could go on a little longer, ofcourse I didn't, but I thought about it!! Ill keep you posted on this one!
5. 4th of July was fun! I wasn't expecting much as our plans sort of just fumbled into place but I really had a great time! Had a few friends over for a little pool party action, JB cooked his famous brisket, and watched some fireworks. Good times all around! :)
6. My nerdy man is/has been working on learning computer "languages" (don't ask).. and is in the process of creating a video game!!! As tired as I get of hearing about it-- I am so proud of him!!! I can't wait to see what mindless game he creates for the iphone/ipad for me to become obsessed with. I might even be more proud that he's actually getting into a form of social networking and blogging his computer game creating journey here
Look at me!!! I wrote WAY more than I was expecting to write! :) Hopefully Ill update again sooner rather than later....
This summer I have discovered one of my new favorite things... the DIY (do.it.yourself) channel. I am obsessed! Its my new background noise if I am blogging, editing photos, cough playing cityville cough. I just love it and the ideas I get from it! Along with the DIY channel, I have found some great DIY blogs that are giving me mucho ideas to pass the downtime this summer.
I have been talking about my super sweet frame collage wall, well I had a little project/addition to it today!
A little background to my piece of artwork first off. Growing up, my dad's side of the family and my father would always sign cards, letters, etc with "143". Which means "I love you" (notice the # of letters in each word if you are not familiar with this little secret saying.) Apparently...more people in the world use this than just my dad and his mother... news to me.
When John and I began dating and getting serious I signed a card with that... never have done it before. And he did not know what it meant! It soon became our little thing along with other little sayings, but this one is such a meaningful one to me since it was one that my dad and I used.
Anyhoo. I saw this little piece of love on one of my DIY blogs (they used a number 7--meaning special to them) and decided I wanted to add it to my collage wall! Below are the steps to it's origination!
tadah! :) I love it!!! AND as you can see my frame collage is a work in progress as well-- much progress this weekend I am happy to share.
Anyway. I am looking at intothedarkroom.com for website layout options...and im really liking if for the FUTURE home of LaurenAugustinePhotography :D
Tomorrow is a day of adventure- scouting downtown for good locations for photos. Pool with Jenna. And then who knows.
God has blessed me in countless ways throughout my 26 years on this beautiful planet... but he really blew me away with one of the biggest blessings he's given me. John. I had a little bit of time before we start our movie
and sat thinking about how unbelievable he truly is to me. We went grocery shopping with a good friend of mine today and the conversation we had while shopping really just brought to light how great I have it. It is so easy to become complacent and take for granted all the wonderful things someone does for you... and it turns into an expectation so to speak. Well... it shouldn't.
I will say this about my relationship:
1. I am spoiled rotten. And when I say spoiled I mean... the boy will bend over backwards for me anytime of the day! I used to be this self sufficient, stubborn, do-it-myself kinda gal... boy have things changed!
2. We aren't perfect. We fight. We (I) hit. We pout. We cry. BUT we communicate, problem solve, and listen to each other. I heard a quote in a wonderful movie where a character told another one that "If my wife and I would have fought like you two, we would still be married!" And I love it! When it was said in the movie John gave me this stare down because he knew exactly how my wheels were a turning! Speaking of movies, we saw a movie one time where one of the couples in the movie were just unrealistically happy, perfect, spotless, annoying! Ill say, that just aint us but there's no one in this world I would rather argue with than him! ;)
*****The movie was called Table for Three. Unexpectedly funny flick... trailer here:
3. He is my best friend. I have so much fun with him! He really is my best friend... :)
4. Were happy right now. I think that people get so caught up in the "when we...." or the "I want to..." that they let the now slip past them. I feel like for so much of my "adult life" I was looking for more, wanting more, wanting to change this or that. For the first time in my life I am content where I am at. I know we have a long road until the I DO's ever come into play. We have been through a lot in our relationship and have been through things separately in our lives to know that weddings, babies, whatever is just a ways a way. I have my moments where that is a hard thing for me to be O.K. with...but i honestly am. We have things that we have to take care of before that can happen! As long as we have each other... we can do anything and I DO doesn't change that. ((but it'll be a pretty spectacular day when it does finally come!))
5. I could go on...and on... and list the millions of reasons why I love our relationship but I don't think many people care to hear that and my fingers are beginning to get a little crampy so well leave it at this for now. I couldn't have been more blessed with the person that I am blessed to spend my life with. I can't wait for all the adventures life has in store for us and I am so thankful for the man that he is!! :)
Happy Friday!! ((Everyday is Friday to me...but I remember the days where you would count down to that glorious day.... #lovesummer))
Today was a good day! I was a little concerned at first considering I felt like poo from last night, but it ended up being a fun day. Little background: we met a friend for dinner, then went to Jazz under the stars at the DMA (totally rad little set up!) and then went to my favorite bar in dallas... Capitol Pub (aka CP). Good times were had for all, lovely target cube vino, sister time, live music, and summertime! However, my old body can't handle the vino like it used to and I woke up feeling a little under the weather!
Once I motivated myself enough to roll out of bed I met sister and John at chilis for some gressy cure-all food! Afterwards we went to Home Depot to purchase some necessities for my DIY projects. ((purchases included: wood, paint, tape and greens!) I have really started to enjoy gardening, and planting in pots to enjoy the plants beauty! Today after not so much luck in the past... we found a lime tree! I am so stinking excited about this! I love water with lime, and have been wanting a little lime tree so I don't have to 1. go to sonic to get the delicious beverage or 2. buy limes at the store. So pretty awesome find! We would always stumble upon lemon tress, but never the lime! I also got some sweet potato vines and finally potted my cute (onsale) gerber daisy plant... which makes for 2 gerber daisy plants!
So I wanted to write about some exciting news/changes coming in my life. My wonderful boyfriend, who has been such an encourager in my desire to get into photography got me an awesome gift for my birthday. He registered me fora photography workshop at a great little studio called spot studio. I was pretty apprehensive and to be honest, bummed out when he told me that was my gift! I was hoping for a coach purse, or a new camera lens... :/ horrible! Reluctantly I went to the workshop yesterday andI am so glad i did! I learned a lot, things were made a little more clear for me and I got some great practice and shots while there. The workshop really confirmed how much I love to shoot and really want to turn this into something. I have been toyingwith the idea for years now and I am ready to make the leap! :) I am currently working on getting a few more sessions to build up my portfolio (I have a plethora of dog and kid shots...not a whole lot of anything else though!) and I should have the site up and running soon! I have decided to take this whole thing as it comes at me. I am not real sure what I want to really focus on just yet so well see where the Lord leads me!
So, again. Loved the workshop! I am still editing my brains out but here are some of my FAV shots so far!
