Why I'm Glad I'm Not 20 Anymore

Don't get me wrong, there are things that I loved about my earliest 20s.  But after this weekend, I am 100% sure I have no interest in being 20 again.  Here's why:

• The older I get the more confidence I have.  I have this theory that women grow more between 18 and 22 than they do at any other time in their lives.  You grow, you change, you have crazy experiences.  And then you figure out that it doesn't really matter what other people think about you, it's more about what you think about you. 
• I no longer have the want to compete with girls for guys in social situations.  And I am amused when other girls still do.  Even more so if they get really angry.
• While I still don't feel like I know what the heck I'm doing 90% of the time, I feel like I have a better handle on how to fake it 'til I make it.
• Single isn't scary anymore.  It may not be what I want to be forever, but it is no longer my sole focus either.  If I never get marriage and all of that, I no longer feel like I won't make it.  In fact, I know now that I will.  (But if you know any intelligent, handsome, Christian men, feel free to slip them my info...Ha!)
• Staying out all night is no longer the adventure it once was.  Now it's just the thing keeping me from my warm comfy bed that will, no doubt, make me feel like crap the next day.

And I could go on and on.  I just know so many women who are really freaking out about 30, but I am so very excited about it!  I still have a bit before it's all official, but I can't help but think that my 30's are going to be where it's at! 

I'm curious, those of you who are already there...am I right?  Let me hear about it in the comments!

Recapping the Weekend

Saturday was everything I had hoped it would be.  I had a quick photo shoot in the morning, came home and got pretty and headed over to see the birthday girl!  I went over a little early to do presents and then we headed down to the restaurant to meet everyone else.  Amber said over dinner that the 12 people present really represented all the different times in her life, from childhood to present.  Here's a few pictures (I didn't take that many, believe it or not!)

 Favorite, Amber and Crys

 Cynthia and the Birthday Girl

 Me and Amber (because I realized that there are next to no useable pictures of the two of us, despite our many adventures!)

 That's right, it's Gir and a cupcake--just for the birthday girl!

 Despite an almost incident with several members of a collegiate softball team and one very randy mayor, a great time was had by all.  I did realize that I can no longer stay out until all hours and function as a productive human being.  I haven't been worth anything today, even with a three-hour nap!  But it was worth it all for this! 

Hope the next 25 are even more fun, my friend!

Show Us Your Life: Entry Ways

My entry way is really not much to write home about.  My house was built like most old houses, meaning that additions and changes were made as money was available, so the floor plan is a little odd.  My foyer is just a space a few feet wide that leads to all the other areas of the house.  But I do have 10 foot ceilings, so  my goal is to draw the eye up, as illustrated below.

 Here are a few of my favorite things about this tiny space.  I love this mirror/shelf & coat hanger.  I got it cheap at a surplus store and it's been in my house since I moved in. 

 I'm trying to progressively add some of my favorite signs to the wall.  I refer to my decorating style as Early American Applebee's.  My tin signs are cool, but my favorite piece here is my signed cast poster from the Original Broadway Cast of The Lion King!

 These are the next two that are going to be hung as soon as I get the ladder back upstairs and get my dad to help me.  I've had them both for a while but am moving them in from other places in the house.

 Got this at Annie-Laurie's!  As you can probably tell, I like things that are a little campy.  This looks a lot older in person than it does in the picture, but I think it's so cute!

 I love this poster!  The umbrella's against the yellow.  And no, I don't live in Ohio.  That penant was with the Hawaii one and I couldn't leave it there all by itself.

 And of course, the Broadway sign!  It's actually kind of famous after this guest post.  I love the double meaning it has to me, and Amber did unscrew it off the wall in a basement just because I was flipping out about it. 

I keep this by the door.  Not only do I love it because I am a history nerd, I figure that when you are as excitable as I am, this is a pretty good life motto.

Well, that's my entry way such as it is.  Hope you enjoyed the tour!  Thanks for coming by!

Goodbye, Sanity. I Will Miss You.

So, here's the postscript to yesterday's post.  After the minor explosion in my classroom yesterday, workmen were called in from the Big City.  They say that there's no way I could have seen or heard the things I reported, and that all I had to do to fix the problem was press F5.  (Which you think they might have mentioned during the four calls that were made prior to them getting here.)  And they assured us that since those cables have no electricity there couldn't have been sparks.  It must have been my printer (which still works fine and plugged into a surge protector.)  But whatever.  So, now I look insane and like a complete idiot.  Great.

The rest of my day did improve.  I was able to purchase much of what I was looking for.  I also bought the most beautiful pair of jeans for Saturday night, even though they were more than what I usually spend on jeans.  (I had to really, as they will look awesome with my zebra print shirt, come on, people!)  And I had dinner with my favorite brother and sister-in-law, which certainly sent the night out on a high note!

I have a pretty busy weekend ahead.  I have a photo shoot early Saturday afternoon.  Then I need to head over to celebrate the night away with Amber and all of her peoples, as it is her Quarterlife Birthday Party.  I've seen the guest list and am assured it will be a great time!  (Trust me, there will be pictures!)   Sunday, I have a craft project to work on, pictures to edit, Christmas songs to relearn for cantata.  And then suddenly it will be Monday again.  But the truly great news is that it will be the second to last Monday I work in 2010! 

Christmas Break is looming on the horizon, my friend!  And even though it looks as though I might be seeing it from the padded walls of my sanitarium, it's still an exciting prospect!

Well, At Least It's Thursday...

UPDATE:  As I was sitting in my room having lunch with my sister, a loud pop and a shower of sparks came down out of the cable box on the wall.  If I had been by myself I would have been sure that I was losing my mind.  But, thankfully none of the new hardware was damaged, just a faulty cable.  But seriously, this day is really starting to annoy me.

I am having one of those mornings where no matter what I look for, it's either lost, broken, or dirty.  And my hair won't fix right.  Therefore, I was later than I would have like to have been for work.  I just want to take this morning out back and teach it a lesson! 

At least it's still early.  Perhaps this day will redeem itself yet.  And I hope so because I have to work on my Christmas shopping tonight and  I would like to avoid a psychotic outburst in the mall, if at all possible.  I try my best to at least appear normal in public!

Wednesday Hodgepodge (Hodge Podge? HodgePodge?)

No matter how you're supposed to spell it, I've decided to link up with Joyce's Wednesday game because Taylor did.  And today, I'm feeling like a follower....

1. What is the most interesting thing you've done in the last year?

     I think the most interesting thing that I've done in the last year has been the work that I have been doing as an interventionalist in the school.  I still have a lot to learn and it remains one of the more frustrating tasks that I've ever agreed to take on, but I am finding that I am learning a lot about the hows and whys of students' learning.  I am also seeing a great many gaps in our education process, not even necessarily at my school, but on the whole.  We need bright, driven educators to get out there and lead (and the politicians to stop governing what they think we need to do) or we are going to be in a heap of trouble! 

***Excuse me while I step down off my soapbox.***

2. What is your most meaningful family heirloom?
     I would say it's the pearl ring that I was given on my 16th birthday.  My dad's dad was drafted and worked as a mechanic with the Army Air Corps during WWII.  He and my grandma were married just two weeks before he left for two years.  He thought he was going to be sent to the Pacific, but instead his crew was stationed in Panama.  He gave her that ring when he came back, and they were together until his death in 1997.

3. What food festival would you most like to attend? If you're not sure click here to see a list of possibilities.

     I've always wanted to go to any of those big city showcases, like Taste of Chicago.  Those look like a lot of fun, but I'm really perfectly happy eating curly fries and taffy at the fair.

4. Snow...do you love it or is it considered a four letter word where you live?

     I love snow, as long as I am at home and don't have anywhere to go.  Last winter, it seemed like it only snowed on Fridays or when I had plans.  So, if we could avoid that, I'd  be grateful.  And of course, teachers know we love snow days as much or more than the kids do!

5. Can you ski? Do you ski? Are you any good?

     I have never gone.  But if my history with sports and coordination tells us anything, it would be that I don't have any business on skis.  Ever.

6. What quality in your spouse or best friend are you most thankful for?

     I have things that I love about each of my friends.  Sheena is wonderfully organized and a do-er.  Crystal makes me want to be a better teacher.  Amber is the perfect buddy for all the crazy adventures.  I could go on and on...

7. Describe the coziest spot in your home.

    That has to be my bedroom.  My bed is inset between my two closets and it makes the perfect place to cuddle up and watch a movie. Plus it's dark and cool so you can sleep forever (not that I usually get to)!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

    There's actually a post coming on this topic, but the more I learn about the world around me, the more I realize how ridiculously blessed I am.  Kind of a "duh" statement, but I've just been overwhelmed by it the last few days.

So Much To Celebrate!

Update:  While it is still Amber's birthday, little Miss E's lungs aren't quite ready for the world yet.  So, we will all have to wait a little while longer before she makes her arrival.  The first rule of being a diva is to make a grand entrance! 

Today is my darling friend, Amber's, 25th birthday!  We are having a big quarterlife party this weekend, but I just wanted to take a chance to wish her a "Happy Birthday" right here on the blog because I am too disorganized to actually send her a birthday card on time!  So, here's hoping this counts!  And you will get your goody bag this weekend!

On top of that, today is also a very happy birthday to a new little one.  Stephanie and Cody (who I used to babysit) are having their little girl today.  A little over a year ago, their sweet baby boy, Aven Hunter, went to be with Jesus, so this is a long-awaited day for them.  It's been a rough road, but I am so excited for them and for the whole family.  (I work with Cody's mom and I know how excited she is to have a new granddaughter!)  Congratulations to you all!  Can't wait to see Miss E!

Whoo hoo!  I am loving all this good news today!