Summer, so far. Being a teacher can be a stressful and tiring career, but when summer rolls around we get to relax & recharge. This year was a tough one, probably my toughest since I started teaching, so to say I was looking forward to summer would be a huge understatement! It’s been less than a week since school let out, and I am already taking full advantage of my time:
Coffee in bed with sweet puppies. Lazy days lounging by the pool. A much needed night out with a good friend. And spending time with sweet babies with even sweeter faces.
If this is less than a week in, I think it’s safe to say that this summer will be exactly what I need!
Life Lately. It’s been a while. Things have been busy. The best kind of busy, but busy nevertheless. There have been weddings, graduations, birthdays, and the start of summer! I put away the jeans and boots and brought out the sun dresses and sandals. I’ve spent my weekends with the people I love, and the rest of my time doing homework that I don’t love quite so much. I’ve been learning to balance it all, but with summer here to stay for the next couple months, I get to take some time to relax. I’m looking forward to the change of pace. How have y’all been?
It’s Bailey’s birthday!!! She’s a big 4 year old now!
Quiet. I’ve been quiet for a couple of weeks now. There’s been so much going on, and I felt like I needed to take a step back from this space. Lately, I’ve been struggling. Struggling with all kinds of things: work, grad school, my priorities, my friendships. I’ve also been struggling with this blog, and questioning how much I want to continue to share here. This community has been a wonderful addition to my life, but I also realize that anyone in the world could stumble across my blog and have a peek at my life. Now first of all, I don’t think I’m all that interesting for people from all over the world to care what I’m posting. Secondly, I realize how silly it may sound to suddenly be aware that anyone could read my blog. Of course when you post online to a public forum anyone can access it. I’ve always known that, but I think I just recently started to really think about what that means. It’s something to think about and consider. But while I’m working on me, figuring out where I want to be & what-not, I might be a little less present in this space.
Friday. This week has been a long one, but a good one. Work has been great. I did some of my favorite lessons of the year with the kids, finally set up a retirement plan, and planned my lessons for the rest of the school year! On the grad school front, I’m currently ahead of the game and hoping to stay that way. And as far as home goes, I’ve had a couple of deliveries that brightened my week including some Stella & Dot goodies. I just can’t get enough of their packaging! It’s almost [I said almost] better than what’s inside! I’ve also successfully resisted the urge to eat out this week. I may have had breakfast for dinner twice, but that’s okay. As long as I saved money and stayed in, that’s all that matters! I’m also happy to say that I am still keeping up with my daily gratitude journal. Three months in and still going strong! It’s a great way to end my day, and I only wish that I would have started it two years ago when my cousin gifted me the journal. And after attempting to curl my short hair over Spring Break, I am obsessed. It’s not as easy to curl the short hair as it was when it was long, but it’s worth it. It’s a nice change from the same straight hair everyday. So that’s a glimpse of my week, and now on to the weekend!!! Happy Friday, y’all!
Peanut Butter Pie. Every couple of months we have a food day at work which is basically just a pot luck. All the staff signs up to bring certain items & this time I signed up for dessert. So, last night I whipped up a peanut butter pie and I can’t wait to get a piece of it later. It is one of the easiest pies to make & it’s delicious. I found the recipe on pinterest & it’s officially one of my favorite go-to recipes now. I decided to share the recipe with all of you, and I promise you that you will LOVE it!!!
Ingredients
For the pie:
1 chocolate graham cracker crust
1 cup peanut butter
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, room temperature
1 tub (12 ounces) Cool Whip, divided
1 jar (11.75 ounces) hot fudge topping, divided
½ cup sugar
For the topping:
2 tablespoons hot fudge
2 tablespoons peanut butter
-or-
6 crumbled Reese’s Peanut butter Cups
Method
• In large bowl, beat peanut butter, cream cheese, and sugar until creamy. Fold in 3 cups Cool Whip. Spoon mixture into crust and smooth to edges.
• Remove 2 tablespoons hot fudge from jar and reserve in zip-loc plastic baggie for later. Heat remaining hot fudge according to package directions. Spread on top of peanut butter layer. Refrigerate pie until serving time.
• Knead hot fudge in baggie with hands; cut tiny hole in corner of baggie and pipe over pie. Repeat with 2 tablespoons peanut butter and pipe on pie in opposite direction. [This part is up to you. I have topped the pie with the hot fudge & peanut butter piping, but this time I just used crumbled reese’s peanut butter cups. The crumbled reese’s are much quicker, but it does look really pretty with the piping]
• Serve chilled.
[Disclaimer: This is not my recipe. I found the recipe via pinterest. The original source can be found here.]
Wednesday. Today has been a day. Started off with black skies, lightening, rain pouring down, and a touch of chill in the air. Currently enjoying blue skies, lots of sunlight, and perfect 74 degree weather. My classes were wonderful. I loved my lessons. The kids loved my lessons, but from there things went south. I went to the gym straight from work, hopped on the treadmill & got to it. I quickly realized that something was not right with my legs. They felt like they were going to give out underneath me several times. It was the strangest sensation and one that I have never experienced before. I stuck it out & stayed on the treadmill, but I spent more time walking than running which is upsetting. At one point, I accidentally ripped my earbuds out of my ear which sent my phone rolling down the treadmill and crashing into the machine next to me [phone is okay. thank god!]. When I attempted to get back on the treadmill I almost ate it. When the world’s worst run was over, I made my way home. I proceeded to bump my head on the door frame of my car as I was unloading things and then I tripped going up the stairs. I think it’s safe to say that I should sit in a pile of pillows and blankets for the rest of the day and not touch anything else!!
Adulthood. Today I finally set up a retirement fund. Four years after starting my career, I have finally made the responsible steps towards securing my future. I don’t know why it took me this long, but I’m glad that I got it taken care of. It gives me some peace of mind, and that’s a great feeling. Cheers to being an adult & making responsible decisions!
Tuesday. Is it only Tuesday? After having last week off, it’s hard getting back to the day-to-day grind. I’ll figure it out just in time for the weekend, I’m sure. Yesterday was a good day. It was nice to see my little ones, but after a week off they act like they’ve never heard of rules before. Therefore, yesterday was for a quick reminder of the rules and an introduction to the instrument families. When I got home, I was craving serious comfort food, so I whipped up a batch of biscuits & gravy. It was absolutely delicious & just what I needed. I spent the evening relaxing, playing with the pups, and catching up on my hulu account. Today will be a bit more hectic. Lots to do at work. A much needed work out. Lots of reading for grad school. Busy. Busy. Busy.
Monday. Spring Break has come to an end. It was a week full of rest & relaxation. It started with a trip to visit mama & ended with a real life CSI investigation in my best friend’s apartment. Sprinkled in between was plenty of sleep, a few glasses of champagne, lots of quality time spent with the pups, an end to a new relationship, treating myself to some fresh flowers, and a bit of home redecorating. Despite the couple of setbacks, it was a good break, and I’m sad to see it go. Now it’s back to work. Back to the daily grind. But there’s only 12 weeks until summer break. Let the countdown commence!
Chaos. I woke up this morning to one of my best friends calling me three times in a row. I took some nyquil last night and was in a bit of a haze, but when the phone rang for a third time I knew something was wrong. Through tears she told me that her apartment had been broken into. She’s been out of town at a friend’s wedding for the past few days. My first thought was her animals. She’s a crazy animal person like I am and has three adorable puppies. She told me that they were fine, but asked if I would go over and bring them to my apartment until she got home. I immediately jumped out of bed and ran over to her apartment. We live in the same apartment complex, so it wasn’t a long trip. When I arrived, I met her dad and a police officer at the door. It was very unsettling. Her apartment had been completely ransacked. Her things were everywhere, but the weird part is they didn’t take anything. Her TVs were all unhooked and moved. Her jewelry was thrown all over the place but was all still there from what we could tell. I don’t know if they got spooked or if they found something else they wanted and ran. Who knows? Two things I know for sure, 1. I’m definitely moving when my lease is up, and 2. I’m living in chaos right now. Currently I have her three dogs, my two, and my cat in my apartment. Her little Charlie is obsessed with Kennedy and will not leave him alone. He’s been jumping up on the kitchen table and my great-grandmother’s piano all morning trying to catch poor Kennedy. There is constant barking. I’ve cleaned up three piles of poo so far. Kennedy hates his life, and I’m sure my neighbors hate me. But I’m happy to have them here. I know that if the situation were reversed, she would do the same for me. It may be a little chaotic, but that’s what friends are for, right? As of now, I’m just trying to enjoy my slightly overcooked cinnamon toast as my breakfast companion, Charlie, looks on. Happy Sunday!
Spring Break Redecorating. For some reason, I recently got the urge to redecorate. For the most part, I absolutely love my little apartment. It’s all my own & I think it reflects my style pretty well. But lately I’ve been feeling the need to add a few odds & ends to make it a little more unique and personal. I’m obsessed with the rustic glam look, and I’m slowly trying to transition my place to have that feel. I’ve spent time over the break scouring through TJ Maxx, Homegoods, World Market, & my Aunt’s kitchen, and I think I walked away with some pretty great items. My favorite item is definitely the glass lamp with a burlap shade. I fell in love with it the instant that I saw it & knew it had to come home with me. I also picked up a couple of weathered wood picture frames, an owl vase, and a adorable elephant teapot. And since my aunt has been redoing her kitchen, she was nice enough to offer me her old, but perfectly nice, kitchen canisters. It was a free upgrade from my flimsy Target canisters. Win! I also decided to move things around a bit, and I’m happy with the results so far. I’m sure I’ll do some more rearranging here & there, but for now I’m please with the changes. However, I can tell you that my next purchase will hopefully be something a little more substantial. I’d love to update from my flimsy college apartment bookshelf to a solidly built piece, but all in good time.
Thank you. Thank you for all of your sweet comments and messages yesterday. I’m feeling a million times better today. I needed to let myself be mopey yesterday, but now I’m moving on. I want someone who wants me & who is smart enough to not let me get away. I’m not wasting anymore time crying over someone who isn’t worth my time.
![Peanut Butter Pie. Every couple of months we have a food day at work which is basically just a pot luck. All the staff signs up to bring certain items & this time I signed up for dessert. So, last night I whipped up a peanut butter pie and I can’t wait to get a piece of it later. It is one of the easiest pies to make & it’s delicious. I found the recipe on pinterest & it’s officially one of my favorite go-to recipes now. I decided to share the recipe with all of you, and I promise you that you will LOVE it!!!
IngredientsFor the pie:1 chocolate graham cracker crust1 cup peanut butter1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, room temperature1 tub (12 ounces) Cool Whip, divided1 jar (11.75 ounces) hot fudge topping, divided½ cup sugarFor the topping:2 tablespoons hot fudge2 tablespoons peanut butter
-or-
6 crumbled Reese’s Peanut butter CupsMethod• In large bowl, beat peanut butter, cream cheese, and sugar until creamy. Fold in 3 cups Cool Whip. Spoon mixture into crust and smooth to edges.• Remove 2 tablespoons hot fudge from jar and reserve in zip-loc plastic baggie for later. Heat remaining hot fudge according to package directions. Spread on top of peanut butter layer. Refrigerate pie until serving time.• Knead hot fudge in baggie with hands; cut tiny hole in corner of baggie and pipe over pie. Repeat with 2 tablespoons peanut butter and pipe on pie in opposite direction. [This part is up to you. I have topped the pie with the hot fudge & peanut butter piping, but this time I just used crumbled reese’s peanut butter cups. The crumbled reese’s are much quicker, but it does look really pretty with the piping]
• Serve chilled.
[Disclaimer: This is not my recipe. I found the recipe via pinterest. The original source can be found here.]](http://25.media.tumblr.com/c40ca338f6b08c8108c64812606d9b76/tumblr_mk0jbuQFOA1qe8l24o1_500.jpg)
