6 Hour Weekend

Almost a month without a post?! I'm terrible! So now to make up for it...

My husband got a new tatoo. Cool, huh? Yep, those daisies are for me.:)

This weekend we both raced in our first 6-hour mountain bike races. These are the bottles we took to the race--full, of course. We both also had full camel backs. I was on a relay team, so I did around 3 hours and 25 miles. My husband did the whole thing solo. He did all 6 hours and 65 miles. He's pretty awesome, if I do say so myself. It was a blast, and I felt like I got better (skill-wise) with each lap. And a big thanks to Hoo-Ha Ride Glide for making my saddle not-so-sore.http://www.reflectsports.com/hoo-ha-ride-glide-description

Of course, we have had a really lazy Sunday since we both basically can't move. I did manage to braid my first fishtail braid. See the tutorial I used here http://hellobeautiful.com/style-beauty/hellobeautifulstaff2/how-to-fishtail-braid/. Then I made some delicious chili while we watched the Titans kick some Panther booty! Hope you have a great week!

Ode to my black flats

Today started off with fairly warm weather, definitely not tights and boots weather. I was inspired by a blog and donned a skirt and blouse. Then I went straight for my trusty black flats. These aren't just any black flats though. These are THE black flats that have gotten me through a lot. In college, I applied to work at Nine West, and the first thing I noticed in the interview was that the manager was wearing these shoes. They had just come out, and no one had really begun to wear flats yet. (These were the "Sex in the City" days when all the shoes had spike heels and super-pointed toes. Don't try teaching in those!) But these shoes were delicately detailed with soft suede. I had a terrific interview, got the job, and immediately purchased these shoes with my fabulous discount. Oh, how I miss that discount! I have worn these shoes to church, through several jobs, all through student teaching, in interviews, and while I teach. In the latest People StyleWatch magazine, there was an article about ballet flats. There were tempting cute ones with little bows on the toe, but I will not stray. My Nine West flats are the greatest little flats a girl could buy! If something ever happens to them, I will be on eBay and at every thrift store looking for another pair.

Outfit: polka dot button-up: Wet Seal (thrifted); skirt: maybe Goody's (circa 2003); belt: Delia's (1/2 off!); the best flats ever: Nine West (circa 2004) Inspiration: Clothed Much

PS-By the time I got off work, Indian summer had changed to winter! It was FREEZING! I guess I'll break out the tights and boots now.

A Case of Bike Envy

Specialized Fate Expert Carbon 29

This weekend was probably my last XC race of the season on my beast of a bike. We bought it from a friend at the beginning of the summer to make sure I would like riding off-road. I quickly fell in love with the trail--I started racing a month after we bought my bike. I also quickly realized that my bike is crap. It weighs a ton, and the suspension feels more like a rigid bike. So we ordered this beauty to replace the beast. I am stoked to finally try out the 29er wheels and a real suspension. It will be fabulous, when I finally get it. They keep pushing back the ETA. First November, then December, and now it's probably closer to January. ERRR! Guess I'll be trying it out in the snow. For now I can look at the pictures and dream that I am a pro on my Fate. Ahhh, to be that good. :)

Vacation, cars, and donuts--Oh my!

Our "going out" outfits. Aren't we cute?
Outfit: shirt: J.Crew (thrifted); leggings: Walmart
Booties:Gap Outlet(purchased on our shopping trip that day)
Showing off my new baby.
Outfit: shirt:Kohl's,cardigan:Old Navy;
jeans: Gap; flip-flops: Roxy; hat: borrowed from my fab sister

So...long time no blogging. It has been an exciting couple of weeks. The girls and I headed for Gatlinburg the first weekend in October. I drove my Yukon, and we got there after dark. Finding the cabin was definitely an adventure! The mountain roads were a little scary in my big truck, but we finally made it. We shopped, relaxed, and had a great time. The next week was the end of the quarter at school. We had our common assessments in math and language arts. I spent the week reviewing and grading, getting ready for our fall break. Our week off after that was well deserved. My BFF and I threw our classes a pizza party and spent some extra recess time that Friday to celebrate finishing the first quarter. It was a great day that got even better when my husband and I went and bought me a new car! Its super-cute, isn't it?! The gas mileage in my Fit doesn't even compare to the Yukon. Anyone want to buy a Yukon? My husband took the week of fall break off with me, and we had a nice week riding our bikes and playing with the new car. We even took a short trip to Chattanooga and visited the Tennessee Aquarium. The penguins were so cool! Then Saturday was the "Ride for Reading" race "Dirt, Guts, and Donuts." During the race, you get two minutes off of your time with each donut you eat. It was awesome! I only ate two donuts, but I rode my best time yet on the trail. One of my teammates ended up winning, even though she only ate two too. :) My legs get so crazy-shaky at the beginning of a race, and I can't seem to start off very fast. Bah! It's been a nice vacation, even though we just chilled at home mostly. Now we have to go back to the real world tomorrow. Wish me luck. :)

Nine Years of Adventure

Outfit #1: Top: Target; cropped pants: New York & Co.shoes: Clarks; hair: side french braid
(Mak had to pose with me.)
Outfit #2: Dress:Francesca's; cardigan: Kohl's; belt: thrifted; argyle socks: Walmart; black riding boots (Date night for our anniversary)
Outfit #3: This whole outfit is thrifted! This dress is super comfy, and the sweater matches perfectly! Braided sandals are from Candy's.


Last week, my husband and I had our nine year anniversary. We first started dating when I was a senior in high school. We went to separate colleges, graduated, and got jobs before we got married. We got married on our five year anniversary of being together. We have been married for 4 years, and he is the only thing in my life I have ever been completely sure of. Every big decision in my life has left me questioning my choice, except for marrying him. I know that he and I are meant to be together, and we are building such a wonderful life. We got into cycling 3 years ago, because it was a way for us to exercise together. Now we are both on cycling teams and are both mountain/road biking. It is so nice to have a hobby for us both. Our relationship gets stronger everyday. He is my best friend.

This weekend, we went on a mountain bike ride at Lock 4 and then ate at Maggiano's to celebrate our anniversary. It was so delicious! From now on, we're going to get lasagna for our meal and bring another piece home for the next day. I wish my homemade lasagna tasted that good! Then on Sunday we met one of my teammates at Montgomery Bell for a skills practice ride. My husband rode with us for a little bit, and then did his own thing because we are slow and still beginners. He's super-fast and has super skills. I, however, crashed 3 times. BOOO! During one of my crashes, I had a caterpillar stuck to my shorts. When I brushed it off, it stung me! Apparently, some caterpillars have poison spines for defense, and I made it mad. My teammate and I examined it and made sure I wasn't going to pass out before we got back on the bike. We both teach 2nd grade, and this experience made for a great animals lesson.

In a few days, some friends and I leave for a girls' weekend in Gatlinburg. Hello, outlet malls! Hopefully I will have a few new outfits to post next week.. :) Have a great rest of the week!

Kayaking Streams of Consciousness

I went to bed tonight and had to get back up. My mind has so many things going on inside it. There is no way I can sleep yet. The last two or three weeks have been very interesting. My husband and I ride and race road and mountain bikes. Just about every weekend during the summer, we have had a mountain bike race on Saturday and Sunday. Two weekends ago, we had a time trial and an XC race at Montgomery Bell. The XC that weekend was probably the most difficult race I've had in my 4 month experience. I had a few crashes, blood running down my leg, and a flat tire (causing me to finish the race on foot). Luckily, I was still on the podium both days. The next day, I decided on and ordered a fancy new mountain bike. Yay! Then, I had my first evaluation at school that week. I had a dentist appointment the day we were trained on the new assessment, and I missed a lot of important info. Not knowing exactly what to do, I just took the mediocre example they gave us and tried to beef it up. I feel like I am an excellent teacher, so I basically planned to teach like I normally do. Isn't that what they really want to see? Isn't that a true evaluation? Apparently not. You must spend more time planning for one lesson to be evaluated on than you spend planning for the entire week in every subject. Yeesh! I could gripe all day about the new evaluation for teachers in Tennessee. (email me for more--not enough time for that now) I woke up the day before my eval with severe back pain. The day of my eval, I had excruciating pain in my back/chest and asked to move the eval to the morning instead of the afternoon (while my ibuprofen was still working). It turned out fine, and I felt very good about my lesson. That evening, my pain was so bad that I thought I had broken a rib. My husband took me to the ER, and I was diagnosed with pleurisy. I ended up passing out when they gave me shots for inflammation and pain. It was an awful feeling! I spent Friday in a fog of pain medication. That weekend was the State Championship for mountain bike racing. I watched as my husband and friends raced in the TT ). Sad. Then Sunday, I decided to try to get back on the bike for the race. I didn't have it, and only made it one lap. Bleck! (Hubby did great both days!) This week has been extra busy at work, and I still have not had most post-eval conference--its been a full week since the lesson. I have gotten no feedback yet on my lesson plan. Several of my coworkers who have had their eval since mine have already had their conference. I think I have been overlooked. :( Tonight I went to my first "Kit Fit Party." Hooray for new bike shorts! I am joining a new cycling team and am stoked to begin training with them. I also met a rep for several cycling product companies tonight. In college, I worked in retail, and felt like I could sell snow to an eskimo. :) Sales has always intrigued me, especially when it comes to something I love like cycling. The rep was awesome and offered to help me look into getting my foot in the door of the profession. I have a fabulous girls weekend planned in a little over a week, fall break coming up, and am going to see Wicked soon. So much on my mind. The stream is swirling, and I am getting tired. Time to put down the paddles and go to bed. Praying for peace of mind.
PS- Several days' worth of outfits will be posted soon!

Fun, Family, and Flying Shrimp

Outfit: t-shirt: Target; cardigan: Kohls; skirt: Bebe (thrifted); tights: Walmart; Bow flats: Target

The coolest kids ever! (I'm the oldest-- surprised?)

Today was my fabulous, creative, smart, cool, musical, talented, little sister's birthday. Obviously, I can't say enough about her. She began her music teaching career at the beginning of August and has to brave gobs of middle schoolers each day. For that, I bow down. There is a reason I haven't taught anything except 2nd grade! She is really going to make her mark on the world. She is the best friend and sister a girl could have. I am so proud of her! For her birthday, the whole family (Mom, Dad, Sis, Sis' BF, Bro 1, & Bro 2--my husband was on a recruiting trip for work) celebrated at a hibachi restaurant. As we walked in, we could hear a chef banging out some beats, so we asked for the musical chef and got one. He was awesome! I love dinner and a show, especially when it consists of throwing food at people. We had a great time celebrating my sister. The best part was Sis doing the hula to the birthday song. Love her!

Fun Friday

Top: thrifted; Skirt: thrifted and cut off; Shoes: Old Navy; Headband: Ribbon belt from another skirt.
At my elementary school, we have Fun Friday, which is just a way for the principal to get teachers who give worksheets all the time to actually do activities with the students. I love Fun Friday! I teach Quantum Learning-style, and always incorporate visual, auditory, and kinesthetic components in my lessons. On Fun Friday, my best friend/coteacher and I put our classes together and have a blast. We play off of each other and come up with motions, chants, songs, rhymes, and games to teach each skill. If the school board and the other powers that be could see the way we teach when we're together and how well the students learn, they might think about putting two teachers in every classroom. But we all know that everything in education goes back to m-o-n-e-y, and my dream world will never happen. Ok, back to Fun Friday...My favorite part of the day was singing the synonym song with my BFF. We both don't claim to be good singers, but we found ourselves performing for a captivated audience and got a round of applause. It was so fun, and the students couldn't wait to sing it too. Now, I wish every part of teaching was so fabulous!

When I grow up...

When I got my first classroom, I just knew I would teach for the rest of my life. I have been teaching for 5 years now and have decided that it isn't for me. I absolutely love the students and seeing the light bulbs turn on. I am a great classroom manager and a leader in my school/district. And I'm not happy. Now I have the daunting task of deciding what to do with my life. Most kids grow up with a dream of what they want to be. When I was little, what I wanted to be changed with each outfit. I pretended to be a teacher, doctor, lawyer, dog walker, gymnast, and princess. Not a big market for princesses nowadays, huh? Too bad--I would be great at it! Thanks Kate. For the next few months, I will be soul searching. Spirit walk, anyone? On a side note, here is what I wore today. (Picture day/PTO meeting.)
Top: Target (circa 2003); Skirt: LOFT (thrifted); Belt: thrifted; Braided sandals: Candies; Necklace: gift from my MIL

My dog, Mak, is my constant companion. When my husband is out of town, Mak becomes very clingy. The only thing that can pull him away from me is other animals in our yard. This morning on our walk, I felt like a cartoon dog walker, dragged by a zooming dog, arm yanked out of its socket. All it took was a cute little bunny. I keep telling Mak that he's not supposed to hunt bunnies. My morning usually consists of at least one rabbit sighting, and a dog going crazy after it. I'm afraid I'm going to need a longer leash.

Gentle Reader.

I am an avid blog reader, and have been fantasizing for some time now about my own blog. Tonight, I finally sat down and created one. However, the blank slate is very daunting. What should I say? Who would ever read my blog? What if I misspell something? These and many other questions ran through my brain. My thoughts went back to the days when correspondence was beautiful and necessary. I can do this. I will be like Emma writing to Harriet, telling her of the things that fill her days, sharing thoughts and interests. I can do this. It will be fun, right?