Let's Art Party Masterpiece

About 10 girls and I purchased a Living Social coupon for Let's Art Party, a BYOB art class. Last week we finally found a date that worked for everyone. It was really fun but I won't be quitting my day job for an art career! I'll leave the painting to Stef.

There was an instructor who led the class and took us step by step through the process of this flower painting. We learned how to mix colors, use different brush sizes and strokes and how to "commit" (quoted from the instructor) once we started painting.

Step 1 was to blend the background color, darker on the edges. Step 2 was to paint the center of the flowers.

Step 3 was the hardest: "committing" to your flower petal placement and shape. I personally think my petals look like a 2nd grader painted them.

I take that back. Step 4 was probably the most difficult, as you can see above. We were suppose to make the centers look different and give each flower a little variety. Apparently I must have a fear of "commitment" because my flowers look a little sad.

This was the finished product. Step 5 was to add the "whimsical" stems. Not too impressive but it was a fun time with great friends. Please take time to admire my monogram in the right bottom corner. Oh, and did I mention that I came home from work Friday and Peter had hung my masterpiece in the study?

Wine, crepes and Swiss chocolate!

I had never been to Europe and was super excited about this trip. We flew to Paris and then took the train to Switzerland to Zurich and Zug. It was amazing to see all the history and architecture. The weather was an added bonus, a high of 70! We didn't miss the 107 temps back home. Peter and I had a wonderful trip and we can't wait to go back to Europe. This trip definitely made me want to travel more.

Here are some pictures of Switzerland:

Here are some pictures of Paris:

Meet Stetson

Meet Stetson. He's the ONLY dog I've ever liked. I never thought these words would come out of my mouth. I've NEVER liked animals in general. I don't even like the fake metal dog in my parent's house. I realize this isn't normal and most people enjoy pets, especially dogs. Peter's dad even says this is "the only thing that is wrong with me." Ha, hardly!

(Yes, that is my hand petting him and it has been documented.)

Stetson and I became friends this summer. We have spent 2-3 days each week together. He is the dog of a Fort Worth family I've been helping out. Here are a few reasons Stetson and I get along so well:

• He doesn't make me have allergy or asthma issues. THIS IS HUGE! I have never been around a dog that hasn't made me sick.




• He rings a bell when he has to go outside, no barking, scratching or accidents.




• He doesn't get on furniture.




• He doesn't jump on people.




• He listens to what I tell him to do.




• He is very well cared for but is treated like a dog, not a human.




• He doesn't shed.




• He doesn't beg for food.
  

I could think of several more reason but I'm sure you get the picture. Peter is very excited about my friendship with Stetson. However, he knows better than to get too excited. We still aren't getting a dog anytime soon. But this is huge! I might even regret making my new friendship public.

Patience vs Patients and Mimi

I would like to apologize for my incorrect use of the term patients. No Eric, you didn't pay for me to go to TCU only to find a husband. However, he was a nice bonus. I promise I know the difference between patience and patients. Looks like I need to proof read a little better. I stand corrected.

I would also like to thank my Mom and Eric for both kindly informing me of my mistake. Aren't they so cute?!




Last weekend I went to Arkansas to visit Lindsey, one of my best friends from college. It was nice to hang out with Jon, her husband, and sweet Adeline, her daughter. Adeline is such a good little girl. Jon and Lindsey are great parents. Adeline and Annabel are lucky girls.


We had a nice and relaxing weekend. Here is a link to Lindsey's blog about our weekend. Adeline couldn't decide if I was "Ash" or "Mimi." Haha. It was hilarious. I think I am a little young to be called Mimi but she is so cute I responded anyway. She has the sweetest little voice. I loved it when she would say "Night night baby" when it was time for bed. So cute!

Thanks Lindsey and Jon for a great weekend. I loved Arkansas.

Schools out for Summer

About 3 weeks ago I wasn't sure I was going to survive. I have never been this ready for summer. I was overwhelmed by all the changes, additions and adjustments to my position/job. I was brainstorming other job options and summer felt forever away. As each day passed I had less and less patience. And then all of the sudden it was here: summer!

This year I have students graduating that I have had in class since my first day teaching. We had our first day of teaching and high school together. It's crazy to think how much we both have changed and grown together.

This last week of school has flown by. It has reminded me that I enjoy my job and why I come to school everyday: my students. The hugs goodbye, tears, sweet messages in my yearbook and visit from old students are priceless and renew my love and patience for my job.

Disclaimer: I would lying if I didn't say that June, July and August are three reason to add to the list of why I am reminded that I love my job.

As I pack up my classroom I am excited for summer and think about all my students I will miss. I only hope I impacted their lives in some way, the same way that Mrs. Herbst impacted mine.

Pillow Talk

I have to admit I have the best husband ever. I am one lucky girl. He puts up with a lot, one of those things being my obsessiveness. I am the planner and he is the laid back one. We make a great pair but sometimes we have to have a good sense of humor to handle each other.

This is a perfect example:

I like things to be in order and the same way every time (in all aspects of life). I like the pillows on the bed to arranged the same way every time the bed is made. It gives me anxiety if the pillows are off. Except for the summer, I leave the house before Peter so he is the one making the bed. Peter, knowing how particular I am about the pillows, arranges them in a different way each morning. When I get home from work I always have a fun surprise waiting for me on the bed. At first this would drive me crazy! However, now I kinda enjoy it. I know each morning when he is making the bed he is thinking of me and smiling about how worked up I will get when I see the pillows "messed up." The pictures below are just a preview of the past week.

Monogrammed pillows sideways.

One pillow upside down.

Two pillows on the end instead of in front.

Just a hot mess of pillows!

I guess this is just a prime example of marriage. I am grateful that he even makes the bed before he leaves! Little things like this make me realize how lucky I am to have someone who can put up with me.

The pregnancy test

Nope, not my personal pregnancy test…..

No day is ever the same in the life of a high school teacher. I see things that I never imagined, good and bad. There are times when I love my job and couldn’t imagine doing anything else. There are also days when I think I am crazy for having this job. The “pregnancy test” day was one of those crazy days, for lack of a better word.

I was asked to cover the class next door for 15 minutes. Sure, no problem. I’m sitting at the desk just babysitting basically. Of course I hear the students chatting amongst themselves talking about various topics, some normal and some inappropriate. I hear one convo about a girl’s pen pal who is in prison. I hear another convo about a really good book. Then I hear a convo about a girl thinking she might be pregnant. Now this isn’t anything out of the ordinary so far.

I continue to have selective hearing throughout this whole 15 minutes until I have no other option. The two girls having the pregnancy convo start talking about how she took a test. Before I know it, one girl comes up to me, shoves a used pregnancy test in my face and asks, “Does this mean she’s pregnant?” Umm, excuse me! First of all, gross. Get that out of my face. She peed on that. Who carries around a used pregnancy test, especially at a high school? So after soaking in what just happened, I reply. “I am not sure. You’re going to have to read the directions on the box.” She says OK and then returns to her seat like nothing happened. Really?

So I am sitting at the desk trying to reflect on what just happened. Was I supposed to write her a referral? Send her to the counselor? Scold her for having sex? Or act like nothing happened? This situation is not in the handbook! Does it list used pregnancy test under inappropriate items on school grounds?

I love my job but sometimes I am just not as prepared as I thought. That was definitely a first. Maybe I should teach elementary. They are so much sweeter.