*I legitimately cannot believe it’s Sunday night already. I feel like I’ve been going at like top speed since about 7am Thursday morning, which is probably only slightly kidding.  

*Thursday we did a Field Day for the girls since graduation was the next day.  That and we also needed use a kind of “chill” day after a really long and stressful year for everyone. But, of course, the day wasn’t without it’s drama that had to happen first thing in the morning.  In the grand scheme of things, it was a really nice day for everyone, but the antics of a few in the morning left a little bit of a grey cloud over everything.  Luckily, those few are being properly dealt with.  

*Friday was graduation for our class of 2017.  It was amazing. I love our graduations anyway because they are just filled with so much tradition and pomp and circumstance and all this amazing stuff to send our grads out happily.  But, we got to up the ante this year with a “military surprise”.  I’ve seen them all over Facebook and YouTube where a parent who is stationed overseas comes to surprise their child at their graduation and they are always so sweet.  Then to actually see one, 10 feet away from you, happen to a student you absolutely adore anyway (she is one of the kindest and gentlest young people I’ve ever encountered; and smart as hell – she was our Salutatorian and is going to Johns Hopkins next year – incredibly proud of her) who was sobbing in your office a week ago because she didn’t think her dad was going to make it home for graduation.  I’m in tears again just thinking about it.  It was easily one of the best things I’ve ever seen.  They called her name and as she walks up the steps, they stop her and say “we have a special guest to help present her diploma to her, all the way from the Middle East…” Me and every other faculty member pretty much burst into tears along with her. Nothing could ever top that, as far as I’m concerned.  Nothing.  

*Devon took a “mental health” day on Friday, so he was off, too.  It was actually very helpful.   Once graduation was over, I came home, picked him up and we got to go do a bunch of crap we can’t ever seem to get done otherwise.  By the time we hit the evening, I was pooped. 

*Saturday we had a couple of our really close friends over for dinner and game night. We love when these two come over (they’re married), they behave together the same way Devon and I do so it’s a ton of fun.  I made my homemade lasagna for them which took awhile because deliciousness doesn’t happen quickly.  They were here a good part of the day/night and we had a great time.  So, again, busy, but a good time.   

*Today we went to visit my mother for awhile and then went to see “Alien Convenant”.  It was a pretty good movie, just a little bit of gorey to keep it interesting.  

*I’m finally getting a few moments to sit and relax and doing some online shopping while Devon and I watch old “Frasier” episodes.  There might be a bottle of wine opened at some point since we don’t have to go to work tomorrow.  It’s like an extra Sunday and since I’ve been super busy I plan on using it to it’s fullest! 

*My baby went to her senior prom on Friday!! Now, for those not inn the know, my “baby” is my best friend’s little sister.  My best friend I grew up together from the age of 4 and her little sister was born when we were 13, so she’s always been my little sister, too.  She looked gorgeous!

I look tired…which I was, but she looks gorgeous!  I can’t believe how grown up she is! She’s going to Redford University next year and I couldn’t be prouder of her! 

*We have graduation coming up on Friday, so I had to pull my cap and gown out of the closet this morning to make sure it wasn’t all wrinkled and weird.  Being a high school educator, you really get some good use out of your graduation regalia.  I’ve worn my Master’s gown every year since I got it, so it’s money well spent to not have to get a rented one or buy one from school.  I just hope it’s not 100 degrees when I have to be in a black robe all day like it has been the past few days here.  

*Devon and I have decided/agreed to do a “wedding prep” diet/workout this summer.  We both have images in our head of how we want to look on our wedding day and getting into a little bit better shape will make those visions more likely.  Making big changes is easier in the summer because we aren’t really working so we can devote time no energy into overhauling and re-creating better habits and routines.  This way when school starts back up in the fall, we have everything in place to maintain and continue what we are starting.  We both have initial goals, so we will get to those and then see where else we want to go after that. 

*I also really need to start dress shopping.  Maybe not actively trying things on yet, but at least figuring out a design/style of dress.  I have literally no idea what I want to do with my dress.  My one bridesmaid who lives out of state is coming down to visit this summer, maybe while she is here I can arrange for all of them to go dress shopping with me one day and maybe do bridesmaid dresses, too.  But having an idea before we do all of that would be really nice.  Our wedding is about 13 months out but I get the feeling this year is just going to fly by so fast.  The more we get done over the summer, the better.  

*I have an almost four day weekend next weekend, because of Memorial Day and graduation on Friday, so this is probably going to eel like te longest week ever.  We’re doing a Field Day on Thursday, too, so it’s not even like we have this full week of school, it’s probably just going to feel really long.  It’s a super busy time of year anyway, but it’s going to feel like forever.  I say again, though, I just hope it’s cooler outside than it was last week.  That sweltering heat just makes me even more tired and sluggish.  And we have monster cicadas out already.  It’s so nasty.  I know they really don’t hurt you, but they just look gross (yes, I’m being that girl for a minute) and I can’t wait for them to go away.  

Hope everyone is having a great weekend! 

*These are going up so late this weekend because this weekend has been C-R-A-Z-Y busy.  

*My mother had her first chem on Friday and is handling it really well.  She was a little nauseous on Saturday morning but took some of her anti-nausea meds and was fine the rest of the day.  1 round down, 19 to go.  

*Devon got some aggravating news on Friday.  The new teaching assignments for next year came out and he found out he’s being moved to 7th grade (he teaches 8th now).  That in itself isn’t the annoying part; I mean he taught 7th grade his first two years after grad school. But he’s going to be doing 7th grade co-taught; so basically he will be teaching with the aid of a special education teacher.  Now, don’t get me wrong, Devon is great at differentiation and working with students at varying levels and with various abilities; it’s the fact that he has to work full-time with another teacher that is his issue.  And I get that.  It’s hard enough to plan lessons sometimes but then to have to add in another person that you have to be on the same page with and that will have their own ideas and teaching styles is frustrating.  I know Devon’s district has seen a lot of success in their co-teaching program, but it’s just not something he’s really happy about.  He does love his school though, so he’s willing to do it next year, however if he doesn’t get to have his own room back the next year, he’ll likely be looking to switch schools where he can have his own space.  

*My new Erin Condren shipped and should be here on Tuesday!  I’m so excited to see the new planner and can’t wait to share it with all of you soon!

*I did my grocery shopping online with Peapod this week.  I’m not usually a grocery delivery kind of person but I knew there was too much going on to go to the store.   It was actually really nice, I wish Wegmans would get with a delivery service.  That would make my life easier.  But Peapod was great, I spent less than I would have in store and I got it at like 8pm when I knew someone would be home to receive it.  Very easy and convenient. I might have to try it again one day.  

*Weekends go so fast.  I hope everyone is having a great Mother’s Day!

*I’m re-titling these to just “shorts” because I’m realizing that life is getting a bit insane.  Saturdays seem to be super busy as of late and so I thought “maybe I’ll do Sunday Shorts instead”.  But then I know as soon as I do that, Sundays will get crazy.  So, “Shorts” it is; they’ll happen at some point during the weekend.   

*Devon and I saw “Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 2” yesterday.  (Side note: It took me like five minutes to spell guardians because every way, including the correct way, just looked wrong to me.) It was hilarious.  I have also determined that I need a baby Groot in my life.  HE’S SO CUTE!

Look at him!  So true!! 

Devon does not fully appreciate my Groot love.  He said it makes me too sappy.  But he’s so cute!!!

*A friend’s cat had kittens and of course one of them happened to be an orange cat, which is what Devon would LOVE to have.  I’m sure why he’s so obsessed with orange cats, but it is what it is.  She was adorable, but Maya (our cat) despises other cats.  Don’t get me wrong, Maya wouldn’t attack or anything, she’s a sweet cat, but she makes her disdain known regularly when there is another cat present, usually in the form of persistent growling and hissing.  Maya’s getting older, too, so I get the feeling having a kitten in the house would just make her disdain that much greater.  

*Ever have one of those days where  you have a bunch of stuff to do but zero motivation to do it? That’s pretty much my life today. I have some work I need to get done, but really I just feel like sitting on Pinterest or Instagram all day looking at pretty pictures.  

*I’m typing this post on my iPad.  And was sitting here just kind of half looking at the screen and half watching Devon play whatever the hell it is he’s playing on his PlayStation…and all of the sudden, my iTunes music started playing.  It scared the shit outta me.  I didn’t do anything to it, I wasn’t even touching the iPad in any way.  How the hell did that happen? Is my iPad possessed? #creepy

*I had a small panic attack the other day in realizing that my wedding is a little over 13 months away.  I don’t know why that freaked me out.  I guess when we got engaged, it seemed so far away and now, I mean it’s still far away, but I guess we probably should get on a couple of things that we’ve been putting off.  Like I need to ask my other two bridesmaids to be in the wedding.  I asked my maid of honor and our friend that we’ve known as long as we’ve known each other already and they both said yes, but I need to get on the other two.  

*Okay, I need to stop procrastinating.  Have a great Sunday! 

*I have been very unintentionally MIA this week.  My deeepest apologies, it was, obviously, not planned, but we’re back!

*Mostly I was MIA because my mother finally had her port placed on Friday morning for her chemo treatments.  The procedure went well and easily but she was at my house the night before and until yesterday afternoon.  You guys have seen the size of my house, so having four adults in a 950 square foot space can be a bit….overwhelming, at least for me.  I like having space to move around and be able to have a quiet space without having to search for it.  But, like I said the procedure went well and shes back at her house now and all is well.  Her first chemo treatment will be May 12th.  

*When I got back yesterday, Devon and I spent a good part of the day putting the house back in order.  I’ve come to realize that we are a wee bit particular about how our house looks and how its arranged.  I’m okay with it, actually.  I accept that there will always likely be corners of my house that have random things just sort of piled up in them, but I also like when things are where they belong and that our rooms are open and not cluttered with things.  When my family was here, there was just stuff everywhere and it was making me a little nuts.  So, we spent a good part of last night clearing everything and it was almost like I could breathe easily again when it was over.  

*I’m making/prepping my Spinach Pasta Salad for lunch this week.  I haven’t made it in awhile and I wanted something good, portable and somewhat light for lunches, so this will work.  And it’s so easy to make.  It’s just going to require me to get off my butt long enough today to boil the pasta and throw it all together.  Which will likely happen later today.  

*On the subject of pasta salads, I’m also in the process of testing out a couple of new ones I concocted for spring/summer.  I’m always obsessed with pasta salads, but particularly this time of the year.  Hopefully they will be up on the blog soon! 

*I’m sooooooo excited for Erin Condren’s 2018 Life Planner Pre-Sale this week!!!!  There is so much new stuff coming in this launch including new accessories and book styles.  And the thing I’m most excited about is a new calendar style: they’re finally doing academic year planners!! Meaning they will have coil bound planners that go from July to June.  Typically in past years, their calendars that started in July ran throughout the entire next calendar year (so it was an 18 month calendar), which was a waste for those of us who use it as an academic year.  I cannot wait to check everything out!  I’m going to be doing a larger EC post on Tuesday with some of the new things they have coming out, but they also have a ton of stuff on sale right now, so you’re welcome to head over to the Erin Condren site and check out their sale on teacher planners and Life Planners.  And using my link will get you an additional $10 off your first order! 

Alright, I need to go be productive.  Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!