Loving the Silence

I'm going to start this post like so many of us are thinking:

"I cannot believe it's August ALREADY!?!? Where does the time go?!?!"

So here's what is currently happening:

So here's my short explanation to go with it all:

listening: there is nothing on in our apartment right now! Awesome! 

loving: We leave for Colorado on Thursday and have stops planned in Vegas, Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park. Then off Colorado. On the way home we will stop at the Grand Canyon and then straight back to sunny so cal! 

thinking: packing, laundry, dr. appointment, hair apointment, blogging, Autism Authorization work, errands and more! Gotta get it all done! 

wanting: I have an itch to shop. I particularly would like a maxi dress or two, some new tops, maybe a few new pants or skirts.... just wanting to shop! 

needing: I wish that my lesson plans would plan themselves! Summer is not the same when you have to crack something like that open at some point! 

B2s must haves: 

I love this lesson plan book - 

I love these pens - 

And I have spent way too much time on my pinterest boards looking for things to add into my repertoire! Love that site! I makes teacher work a bit easier! 

There's my post for today! hope you enjoyed my currently! 

PS. In case I did not mention it before, I will be posting on the SoCal Blog 2x a week - Tuesday and Thursdays! Head on over now and check out today's post! Better yet, follow and visit regularly! 

Relaxation & News

Another Random Thursday! 

They really aren't so random when you do them each week, but at least the topics are! 

But be sure to stick around to the end! Good news is at the end of this post! 

Topic:

So here goes, here are the things that help me relax:

|one|

Summer Vacation. 

Do i need to explain this one?

{source}

|two|

Getting my monthly massage! 

I originally started going or a few reasons and after about 2 years of regular monthly those reasons are not as strong. One reason was for a shoulder that would not stop hurting and my neck that was so filled with tension that it was difficult to move! It was also intended for me to relax as well. I wanted "me time" and to take care of myself! After these last two year, I am not stopping, NO WAY!

|three|

Lavender 

The scent really gets me to a whole different level of relaxation! This was like heaven: 

|four|

Wine! 

Epoch is one of my favorites! 

Here's their labels and I would gladly take a bottle of either the Authenticity or the Ingenuity like now! 

|five|

Friends & Family

Lets face it these people are usually associated with something fun, whether it be a holiday, trip to Disneyland, lunch or dinner out, and even a hike or two! Surrounding myself with good people really helps me relax! 

That's what helps me to relax... what helps you relax? 

Check out what others have to say: 

And now for the GOOD NEWS! 

Hmm let's see ... how do i put this... 

Starting today, I will also be blogging over at 

with my friends Windy and Lin! 

I am way excited about this and think the trio we have formed will be all kinds of awesome! 

Stop by and check out my post over there today too! That's right, two posts from me today! 

RT: Travel anyone?

Gosh I need a vacation...

But with a kitty that has been sick, it has not been decided whether we are still going on our planned road trip or not. Our little Lily has been feeling better, but i would hate to see her relapse. It wouldn't be a good thing. And this girl would not be up for traveling. All I would be in the mood for would be movies and a Costco sized box of Kleenex! (Look at me, all pessimistic... ) She's doing well and all I can do is THANK GOD for that! It's not time for that cute kitty to leave this world. She still has so much to do and see! 

So, all this talk of a possible canceled vacation has me only thinking that i need to take one! So which would it be...

Well... let's choose one for each because I just love to travel! So I guess my answer is ALL THREE! 

|one|

Beach

This beach is on the island my mother grew up on. I love the red sand and in the summer months, there are tourists as far as the eye can see! I love the shallow water and the history of the place in general! There is a wall built under the water that was built to protect the beach during war times. There is also said to be a cave that was built that went from a high cliff above this beach to under the water all the way to Sicily! All for people to escape! So if I took a trip to a beach, I would love to take my hubby here! He would also get to meet my family! 

|two|

Rustic Cabin

These may not count so much as cabins, but they are close enough. These are not far from home, but my hubby and I have definitely wanted to give them a try! We would love to do this with a bunch of friends and just hang by the beach for a week! Shopping and restaurants are close by if you want a quick trip down to hang out, but if you stay down there, you can cook your own meals in the kitchen that is fully functional! 

|three|

City

My sister lives here, so this would kill two birds with one stone. My hubby and I really want to visit Europe period and this would be my choice for the city we would see together! So much still that I'd love to go back to see more of or even just see anew! 

That's my Random Thursday post for the week! 

Link up with us! 

H54F: Sick Kitty Summer Edition

What a mixed bag of emotions I am... 

On one hand I'm ecstatic: My summer break from teaching starts at 12:30 TODAY! 

On the other hand I'm worried: Our kitty is under the weather. (She has a high temp and it could mean other problems or just be a reaction to some ant spray that hubby sprayed early in the day on Thursday. We are hoping for the latter.) I'm trying to stay positive and keep my mind busy. 

Here's a High Five... because of course, it's Friday!!!! 

|one|

Two little words: Summer Vacation! 

 

|two|

Hubs and I have been planning out our road trip to Colorado. A route is picked out ... just gotta figure out places to stay and all that! 

|three|

Yogurt land has gone Looney!

Last weekend, I tried the Carrot Cake flavor and LOVED it! The spoons are even pretty nifty! They have two characters at a time and will be releasing other spoons in the weeks to come! 

Sorry this is blurry... I always feel as though I need to rush at Yogurtland because there are so many people stealing yogurt as samples filling their cups with yumminess!

|four|

This week my hubby and I went on a walk. No pictures of this one. Just time for hubby and I without the nagging feeling of having to document every moment! It was relaxing and fun. 

|five|

This peach! 

 I love her and really hope that her temperature drops and she begins to feel better. 

Be sure to check out other High Five posts! Head on over to Lauren's blog! 

Haven't Kicked the Bucket Yet

This girl is H-A-P-P-Y, HAPPY! 

One more work day and I've got 5 WHOLE WEEKS OFF!!!! 

Ugh! I cannot tell you how much I need the break ... anyway... moving on ...

...for this topic....

Well ... I've done a couple "bucket list" posts for myself. There's the one I did a while ago that is more of a "I hope I do this sometime in my lifetime" list and then the one I did for this summer. Either way, here's my five things: 

One to Start Soon: Make a list of 100 books you want to read and read them. 

One Already Crossed Off the List: Watch the fireworks at Disneyland - Done on July 3rd. 

One To Do By Age 50: See a koala

One I'm Wondering Why I Listed It: 
Spend a week at a Silent Retreat 
(I must not have remembered how much I like to talk! That one will be difficult to cross of the list!)

One That I Can't Wait To Do: Visit all Fifty of the United States

*My 5 things are from both of my lists!

So what are some things on your bucket list?

Please share. 

A Little DIY for your Thursday

Topic for this week for Random Thursday .... its getting tough to introduce these posts ... I lack the creativity today! So here it is! 

In december my hubs and i moved into a tiny apartment... i vowed to not do much DIYin or crafting! So I thought i would share a project that has been mentioned here on this blog before .... check it out! 

Click here to see how to make this little do-hickey! 

This handy little thing has worked wonders for my car! I love that i have a spot for trash and I have trained my hubby to empty it every time we fill up on gas! It really has been so convenient! 

With no end in sight to this apartment living thing (that i am oh, so fond of, do you sense any sarcasm?) I thought i would share some of my pins that I would love to do to a house that is new to me... and all will be DIY projects because the Lord knows that I will need to save money when that time comes! 

These would be great for a home office! 

Love these mason jar lights! (Will have to see if they match the home we buy!)

Definitely love these barrels! Would love to even do a little herb garden or a small vegetable garden in one or two!

Ok that's my random Thursday post.... hope you enjoyed!

Check out some other DIY stuff! 

PS. My blog is comin' at'cha on FRIDAY!!!! (Well if you are early enough, it will be Thursday night!) 

Haven't Done This In a While

I am up for something I haven't done in a while... 

especially since OHP may be no more some time soon! 

But it has also been a long time since I have done What I'm Loving Wednesday! 

(And with the day i have had, i really need to take a closer look at what i do love about today!)

Be sure to join in or check out some of the other cool posts: 

Ok here's what I'm loving:

1. That my cat has been watching TV a BUNCH! This week we caught her watching America's Funniest Home Videos! 

2. That Hubby and I are planning our road trip to Colorado! 

3. That I really do have some great friends. It means so much to have Brandon and I surrounded by good people who care about us as much as we care about them! 

4. Summer school has 8 days left! Woo hoo! I love to teach, but, really i love a good break too!

Here are some other things I'm loving:

I'm working on my classroom decor for next year ... and MONSTERS it is! These will look great! And they're FREE! 

This will come in handy! Our school recently purchased Sped Pads - one for each classroom! 

Did you catch the caption? um ... yes please! 

Really wishing I had some of this right now! Looks so terribly refreshing! 

Ok that's all for now... posting pinterest pins is really kind of tiring! Oh and terribly time consuming! 
Hope our week is over the hump already! 

PS. While your here, have you ever thought of guest posting? If you're interested in guest posting on this blog, please feel free to leave a comment with your email addy! (I'm open to any topic because this blog really has so many topics itself!) I would love to have you guest post! 

RT: My Summer Plans

Lots of link ups this week...

so sorry.... 

But, they are definitely ones that I either do normally or that I have wanted to do! 

An original post about my most recent Birchbox items will be coming you way {hopefully} on Friday! 

OOOOHHH and have I mentioned that I vlogged? 

My first one is scheduled to air on this cute little blog next week! 

Oh boy! 

The news was documented on my instagram on Sunday/Monday(?). 

Do you follow my instagram? 

Click below and FOLLOW! 

OK, on to my real post content for the day! 

You should be able to guess at this point! 

Here it is:

1. Finish my Autism Authorization (is it apparent that I am procrastinating this thing?)

2. Workout

3. Plan for my next school year! I plan out my pacing during the summer so that I don't get too caught up in certain units! 

4. Spend time with friends, family and my fur cutie! 

5. Read

6. Continue the house hunt! 

7. A trip to Colorado with my hubby is on the horizon! 

Oh and of course you can add other stuff to this list... check out my bucket list of this summer! 

What are your plans for summer? 

Looking forward to anything in particular? 

PS. Happy Fourth of July! Hope you get the chance to share it with the ones you love the most!

What I'm Doing NOW!

So... this month Farley posted the link up early and so it seems like I'm late, but its only the 2nd! This is earlier than normal for me! Oh well either way, this party is fun! Link up with us! 

listening: The news and a wash that I have had to re-wash 2x! Gotta stop forgetting the laundry! 

loving: That's right people: I'm still teaching! Summer school is almost over! 

thinking: I need to not be so concerned about the moola factor and take a vacation with my hubby who needs the break! 

wanting: While my hubs and I would love a really awesome European adventure that is not what we are getting! WE are gonna head out on a road trip and visit his grandmother in Delta, Colorado! 

needing: I started the cleaning and organization of my desk today and will continue with the planning, organizing, etc until summer school ends! 

tips, tricks, or hints: With all the stuff that I am cleaning out, I wish i had put an organization system into place ahead of time! Oh well, it's not too late! But thought i would give a kind reminder to just do it, your sanity may depend on it! 

 Heading off to follow the Rule of 3!