Winter Whirlwind

Wow! Where has the time gone? This month has just kinda escaped me. Between planning and running an assembly, work, decorating our house, projects, and the first two dinners we've had at our house, time has pretty much escaped me. In fact, I cannot believe that tomorrow will be Christmas. Every year, I try to savor the days leading up to Christmas, and this year I feel that I have done a much better job than last year. I am so excited to see my love ones open up their gifts.

For now, I'll play catch up with some cute birthday pictures. Here's how I spent my b-day on the first of December this year:


Can your birthday get any better than having it here? I had an absolute blast, and my husband surprised me by buying us season passes this year as our Christmas gifts. I couldn't think of a better present.

The next day, I went back to work to see that my kids had planned a surprise party for me complete with streamers and posters of Edward Cullen:




And to top it off, my hubby had a surprise party for me at our favorite wine store which hadn't even re-opened yet (they had been undergoing some revisions) that weekend! Overall, it was one of the best birthdays I'd had in years!

Grateful

I'm up in the high desert in California, sitting with my family and enjoying a few moments of quiet before we start preparing Thanksgiving dinner. I just wanted to take the time to thank all of the readers who stop by my little blog and post comments. When I am sitting stressed out at work, thinking I have taken too much on, your comments always make me smile. I am also grateful for:
- A husband who is so incredibly supportive and helpful
- A new house to start building my family in
- Family and friends who always cheer me up and make me smile
- My new espresso machine which I will use to make my very own caramel macchiatos
- My students this year, whose Bill of Rights videos have made me laugh tears of joy
- The Peppermint Mocha creamer I will be adding to my coffee Saturday morning
- And all of you bloggers whose post inspire and make me smile

May you have a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with lots of yummy foods and laughter.

Where's the Love?

Whoa, Hanson flashback there. So my ASB students took one of our video cameras with them to the movie theater this weekend when they went and saw New Moon together. They wanted to interview people before and after the show. While together, they went to one of those build-a-bear workshops and got me this bear:

Complete with New Moon-esque t-shirt. It says, "We love you Mrs. Charron," and then all of their names.

So in gratitude, I decided to make them a little treat. Take a little of this:

Add some candy corn, and you get this:

I just about died when they said, "We don't want to eat them; they're too cute!"

Shopping Moratorium- Fin

Well, I didn't quite make it to my promise to not purchase any new clothing for three months. I ended up buying a few items at J Crew on Veteran's Day with a gift certificate I had, and then that spurred me to order two more things online with a 20% off coupon. And then things really ended when I went to the Coach outlet and bought this bag:

Funny thing is, I might end up returning this bag. Though I had a coupon for 20% off at the Coach Outlet, I ended up paying as much as I wanted for this bag which is up on Ebay right now:

I've wanted the second bag for a much longer time, but now I can't make up my mind. I think the first bag is a bit more timeless and will last through the seasons longer. But I LOVE the hardware on the second bag. What do you think?

Happy Happy, JOy JOy

Hey all,

I have been meaning to post a little update about my brand new home, but with all of the work we have been doing to it, and work itself, I've only had the energy to keep up reading all of your lovely blogs. So here is me posing in front of the house the day we got the keys:


It seems so different already since those two huge cypress trees are gone now (the hubby wanted to chop those down immediately). We were fortunate to buy a home that was completely remodeled inside, so we didn't have to do any interior work. We have painted the master bedroom and living room already though (I will post pics this weekend). It's so odd, pulling up every day when I come home from work...it still feels like a dream.

I have major plans for this weekend: finishing up a bookcase, re-painting a lingerie stand, working on a frame for our chalkboard...and having some of this:

Our Tobin James wine shipment arrived, and it could not have come at a better time. The hubby and I consider ourselves to be wine snobs somewhat, and Tobin is one of our favorites. They are usually solid wines to rely upon and are so reasonably priced. In fact, Nick proposed at the Tobin vineyard up in Paso Robles. In our latest shipment, there is a 2007 Silver Reserve Syrah that I cannot wait to crack open! Here is to tomorrow being Friday!

All Hallows Eve

I tried to be a little original and dressed up as Rosalie from Twilight. Most of my female students loved my costume. My male students thought I had swine flu.

One of Those Days

Today officially sucked. I have been exhausted all week with work, grading, running off every day after school to get stuff for our Halloween dance, and unpacking, and some of my students were just so mean.

I teach U.S. history, which granted, I understand some students do not find interesting at all, but I try to make fun for them. Instead of doing outlines, timelines, and storyboards like some teachers, I come up with my own questions for every chapter. And I do tons of simulations, videotape the students performing skits, and have lots of pair or group activities.

Well, while studying Shay's Rebellion today, two of my really good students commented on how boring it was to pretend to write a newspaper article about the event. Now, I tried not to get emotional, but honestly, my feelings were really hurt. I try so hard and work so hard to make the subject entertaining or my students and to have them say that made me question why I put forth so much effort.

To top it all off, I had to go back to our apartment today to pick up parts of our desk, and I ended up ripping two holes in my leather car seats.

And tomorrow, I get to stay at school until 7:30 because of our Halloween dance. Weekend, where are you??

Out of the Loop

Ms. Mindless sent me the sweetest post just now, asking if I was OK since I hadn't posted in awhile. Thank you. Just so everyone knows, I am alive and well. I actually just bought a house with my husband (Yeah! Yes, everything went through!), and things have been hectic to say the least. With conferences for work, moving, my student council class, and U2 at the Rose Bowl last night I have been just a bit overwhelmed. Oh yeah, and we haven't had internet at our house for a week. I planned on putting up a really cute picture with me posing in front of the house, but it just hasn't happened yet. I hope to update later this week. Thanks for checking on me!

I Want...and a Winner!

Driving home from a conference for work today, I was talking with my mother on the phone, and something she said struck me cold. My mother is the most selfless person I know, and someone that I aspire to be like some day. She unknowingly made me realize with one little comment how truly selfish I am. I started thinking about how many times I say "I want..." every day. The more I started to think about it, the more I wondered how my husband doesn't have a migraine. I get so much stuff...stuff I don't need, and it really needs to stop. All of the clothes...how much can one person have? I have put myself on a three month ban from buying clothes. I don't need anymore, and it will hopefully put things into perspective for me.

And onto lighter news...using random.org Shelby Nycole is my giveaway winner! Shelby, please email me so I can send the candles onto you. Thanks to everyone who entered.

Cravings

Here are some of the things I am craving right now:

This eyeshadow kit by Smashbox.

This gorgeous pair of pearlized grey shoes by Jcrew.

These bookshelves from the Container Store to scatter randomly throughout my new house (Yes, that's right. New house! More deets to come).

Oh yeah, and some of this to fight off the cold I am battling right now. Happy Friday! Today is the last day to enter my giveaway, so make sure you have. I will be announcing the winner tomorrow.

Is that Jacob?

Yes, I made one of my former students pose next to the Edward Cullen cutout I have up in my room. Shameful, I know. =)

Can't...Catch...Up

Ugh! These past two weeks I have honestly felt as though I just cannot catch up. Every day I have made a little list with all of the tasks I would like to complete, and not only have I not been able to not complete them, but the lists are always added to by the end of the day. What gives? Has anyone else ever had weeks like this?

Fall's Finally Here!

I got to wear a long-sleeved cardigan today. I am so excited! It seems as though fall has finally arrived in southern California. Yesterday, it was brisk outside, and I picked up a pumpkin spice latte to commemorate the change in season. On the other hand, I feel as though I am on the verge of coming down with a cold or something. Oy vey. Hope your Monday was as painless as possible.

BTW, the giveaway deadline is this Friday, October 9th.

Made My Day!

While I was grading papers after school and giving students the time to re-take any test they wanted to, one of my students came into the room with that little gift basket full of items I had asked for on back to school night along with some other fun items. I work so hard at my school site, not just teaching but also running fun activities with my ASB students, and sometimes I wonder if anyone even cares. Little things like this totally make my day.

My First Giveaway

To distract myself from my current housing situation, I am going to announce my first giveaway. I reached my hundredth post a few weeks ago, so I would like to do a giveway featuring my favorite candles by Voluspa. I absolutely LOVE candles, but I find that it is so hard to find ones that leave a scent which fills an entire room. Usually, most just give off a scent that lingers around the candle. However, Voluspa had the most amazing scents which fill an entire room. I am going to be giving away two of my favorite candles.
The first is my favorite scent: baltic amber

The second is Yashioka Gardenia

The Rules
1) In order to be entered for one entry, you must leave a comment.

2) In order to be entered for three entries, you must leave a comment and become a follower, if you are already a follower, just let me know in the comment.

3) In order to be entered for five entries, you must leave a comment, become a follower, if you are already a follower, just let me know in the comment and post about this giveaway on your personal blog, and link it back to this post.

House Woes

Hey all, these first two weeks of school definitely sunk their claws into me, and I have been bouncing from one "To Do" list to the next it seems. I thought I would fill you all in on the housing situation. Thanks to all the good vibes sent my way, we did end up going into escrow on the house the hubby and I wanted. Of course, we were ecstatic, and we opened a bottle of Tobin James blue moon syrah and went out to dinner in Laguna Beach at one of our favorite restaurants, K'ya. Things moved forward, and we had an inspection done and an appraisal. However, that is where the....you know what hit the fan. We had offered ten thousand over the asking price, even though we have an FHA loan and can only pay what the appraisal comes back. Well, the house came back ten thousand UNDER the sellers asking price. I know, not so good.

We had both tried to remain positive during this whole process, thinking that the seller never would have chosen our offer without knowing he might have to renegotiate the price. Well, apparently that isn't the situation. He doesn't want to negotiate the price down. And we cannot offer anymore on an FHA loan. The hubby does not want to pay more for what the house had been appraised anyway. The seller offered to give us a loan for the twenty thousand difference that we would have to pay back to him, but we are both absolutely against that. So now our realtor is making one more last ditch effort, but I am not holding my breath.

We now get to start the whole process over again, and I am so depressed. We'd already started to pack, and now to think we aren't going to get that house...it just crushes me.

On a lighter note, I reached my hundredth post with the last entry. Stay tuned to Tuesday, when I shall post about my very first blog giveaway. I need something to cheer myself up. =)

First Day Woes

I know this is blurry, and that it's hard to make out, but take a close look. That is the outline of the pit stain I managed to get on my first day of classes. My darling little Jcrew outfit went to heck when temperatures soared, causing me to sweat profusely since there is no air conditioning in my classroom. It gets worse considering that that sweat outline was actually filled in while I was introducing myself. I didn't find out until it was too late, and I had to keep my arms down for the rest of the day.

Typical. At least this second week is going better. Silk shirts as a teacher just don't work in the summer.

Official Douchebag

Dude, I totally used to give you a shot...even when you spouted off pompously on your blog. But after tonight's little stunt during Taylor Swift's acceptance speech, I have come to the realization that you're officially a douchebag. Do you have any class? Any matters? You're another artist for crying out loud!! Such a shame...

Farewell Summer

I found this picture posted on the blog Basically Anything that Is Awesome. It pretty much sums up how I feel on this Labor Day. It is so hard to believe that summer is gone and I will be starting a new school year with new students tomorrow. Where did the time go? Hope you are enjoying this last day of summer. =)

Zucchero...where are you?

I swear, I don't know what has happened to my blog posts. I had one to make about our one year anniversary in Mammoth, one about the Orange County Fair, and one about the incredible surprise party my husband threw me for completing my master's. And yet, nothing has come to fruition. Yet...something has made me want to blog:

Does anyone know what happened to Holly's blog: Zucchero, Zucchero? I just tried to go to it, and it says, "Blog not found." That makes me sad. =(

Good Vibes Needed

I need your good thoughts. We are putting a bid in on a house we really like. We first saw it in May before they made improvements to drastically improve it, and now it is just stunning. We have put bids in on so many houses, and nothing yet. Think good thoughts for us with this one!

Help decorate my staff lounge!!

Hey everyone, my plan to have a certain blogger help re-decorate my staff lounge seems to have fallen through, so I am asking for your help. In an attempt to inspire staff members to help support a great program at my school which will motivate students to improve their grades, I am going to re-decorate the staff lounge with the hopes of improving staff climate. I have some ideas, but overall I am just drawing a huge blank in regards to what to do with this area. Maybe I am too close to the subject. My school is located near an IKEA, and I can paint the room. I will have a budget of about $300 dollars to do this. Any suggestions?

Blues and Brews

Wow, I cannot believe how delayed the posting about my little trip to Mammoth is. It was about a month ago now. Let me just say this to any California readers: if you have not been to the blues and brews festival in Mammoth, you must go! Tickets actually sold out this year, and I am sure they will sell out next year as well. We had an incredible time, though the weekend started off somewhat slow.

We started out being stuck on the 395 for half an hour due to road construction. Thank god I had Twilight!! As soon as we started edging our way up into the mountains though, all worries ceased to disappear.

Mammoth definitely wasn't what I expected. I guess I was thinking it was more of a big ski city, like Aspen. Regardless though, I actually fell in love with the city more because of how quaint it was. The first night we went out we discovered how much the elevation affects drinking. I was tipsy after drinking half a beer. It was definitely an odd night as my husband and I drank Irish car bombs with some guys who had been at the festival the year before. I held my own, while the men all got drunk. It was quite amusing actually.




The next morning, we prepared to head out to the festival. It started at eleven, but we knew we should definitely eat something of a hearty lunch before making the trek down to where the festival was. I was glad that I had bought tickets ahead of time. As we walked down to a quaint wine and cheese spot, we overheard locals talking about how the festival was sold out and people were already trying to buy tickets off of others.


And then...it was just chaos. Over seventy different breweries were there, and we had a blast tasting. I had a watermelon beer which I fell in love with along with a pomegranate ale that would knock the socks off of anyone's taste buds.



And then came the act that we had come to the festival for: Kenny Wayne Shepherd. Kenny is, by far, one of the best guitarists out there right now, and if you have never seen him play you're missing out. He started out on the scene when he was sixteen, and he was touted as the next Stevie Ray Vaughan. While he still plays a few SRV and Jimi Hendrix covers sometimes, he definitely holds his own. And his lead singer, Noah Hunt, has the most comforting, soothing voice. It's deep and silky smooth and always makes me swoon. The weirdest thing was that as they took the stage, I actually recognized the bass player, Scott, who had played in a band with my ex. It definitely tripped me out. And JJ Johnson, a drummer that people like John Mayer covet, attempted to throw ...count them...THREE drumsticks to me. The last one I wouldn't let my husband hop over the barricade for, and just as the security guard reached it some old fart snatched it out of his hands and took off with it. I was SO pissed!!!





Aside from that little incident, the trip was incredible. Seriously, with views like these, how could you not relax?

Dear Tummy

Dear Tummy,

I am so sorry about how I treated you last weekend. I promise to never ever neglect you again and to always put sunscreen on in order to protect you. I cannot believe I just forgot about you this weekend. Anyhow, never again.

Take care,
Lindz

One Year Down

Well, I was going to try and post this yesterday, but we were just too busy bluesin' and brewzin' yesterday. Anyhoo, I love you, baby. Here is to the smoothest first year down as a married couple. Surprisingly enough, I find myself loving you more and more every day. Thank you for putting up with my tantrums and for making me feel home and content when I am with you. Kisses!

Wedding Woes

I'm coming up upon my one year anniversary Saturday. I stayed up for an hour last night, unable to fall asleep, because I kept thinking about the one regret I have about my wedding last year: the fact that our ceremony did not get recorded. Well, I take that back. Our friend was recording it, and the tape cut our right before we were about to say our vows.

Sigh.

It makes me so sad, looking back upon this now. My mother and I had gone out the morning of the wedding to get new tapes, and I gave them to Nick's friend. I could almost swear that I said, "You need to put a new tape in." But maybe I didn't. All I know is he used the tape which I had used to record my kids skits (the one already in the camcorder), and it hadn't been rewound far enough.

The hubby says it's not important; we have beautiful photos. But I just cannot seem to let...it...go. Maybe it's because I never wrote down the promise I made to Nick. The hubby is kinda glad about that since he says the little speech I gave was better than his. But I want those words! He's promised me that in five years we can have another ceremony, which we will film, and I can have it shot in 8mm like I want in addition to just a standard recording. But it's not the same. =(

Is there something you cannot let go of?

First Anniversary Dilemma

OK, so for our honeymoon last year the hubby let me choose where we went, and I chose Paris. It was amazing, of course, and I promised him that I would let him pick where we went for our one year anniversary.

Now....I dunno. First of all, two months away from our anniversary, I asked the hubby if he had any ideas, and he said no. So I actually came up with one myself. Since we are trying to save for another Europe trip next year, we decided to stay local (within California). I found out one of my favorite bands was going to be playing at the state fair in Paso Robles...



Lady Antebellum

So I suggested we go up and see them and do some wine tasting in Paso Robles. We have a special place in our hearts for Paso: we got engaged at our favorite winery there, and we definitely feel that the wines from Paso are better than Napa wines.

But then, by chance, I stumbled across this festival:


And I thought to myself, "The hubby will love this: blues, beers, and mountains!" We have both never been up to Mammouth, and I haven't seen the artist that is performing, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, in years! I used to have a major crush on this guy years ago:



So now I am torn. The hubby definitely wants to go to the Blues and Brews festival, but I want to see Lady Antebellum. ::sigh:: I guess I shouldn't be complaining between our options; it always could be worse. Have a great weekend everyone!

New Moon Site

Guilty as charged. I just found out they launched the website for the New Moon movie, and it is flippin' awesome. You can go check out the Cullen bunch or go over to La Push ("It's La...Push, baby") and check out Jacob's werewolf pack. There are tons of pictures, things to explore...in fact, I actually downloaded the background. Go explore fellow Twilighters.

Pure Laughs

He was on "The View" earlier today, and I just could not resist posting this. He won bleeping awards for this! Enjoy!!

Grumpy Old People

I did absolutely nothing today, and it feels great after having had such a hectic past few days. I attended a conference in Orlando over the weekend (more about that tomorrow), and I had such an unpleasant experience upon returning home. I was one of the first off the plane upon arriving in Orange County, and I was able to score a spot right in front of the luggage shoot in the baggage claim area. Typically, people gathered as close to me as possible since they didn't want to walk a few feet over to spread out. This older man (in a straw hat nonetheless) shoved past me to get his luggage and then wacked me, and the person standing to the right of me, with his bag. She made a bit of a noise when he wacked us, and I looked at her and said, "I know, I guess it's hard for some people to stay excuse me nowadays."

This old man had the nerve to turn to me and say, "Well, I had to get my bag."

I just looked at him and said, "I understand sir, but you could have said excuse me."

He just turned and walked away.

I cannot tell you how flustered this experience left me. I always assumed that older people were more polite than most, but now I am second guessing things. I had attended a session at this conference where Dr. Frank Palatucci stated that one of things we could do to benefit our students the most is to teach them words like, "Please, Thanks, and Excuse me." Here that was shot to heck in the airport.

As I told my husband the story, he replied, "Well, obviously his mother didn't do a great job."

No shit. Happy Monday everyone!!