A Much Better Week

Well, after a crazy week last week, this week has been much easier and less stressful! 

The week kicked off Sunday evening with a craft night. I decorated these pumpkins to put on my desk at work. The kids love them!

Monday morning I got this little treat from the office staff--much needed after last week! 

Last night I ventured to the new Fresh Market store. It's an organic store very similar to Trader Joe's. I could've spent all my money at this olive bar. Instead, I bought a few bottles of tea. No surprise there!

I made Cheesy Brat Stew tonight--maybe my best batch yet! 

Could we be any cuter?!

A birthday treat from a student today! Cookies with frosting...YUM!!

Whoa!

Holy cow! It's been forever since I've posted! Last week was a LITTLE bit crazy, with being at a work conference 3 days and then hosting America Reads day at school, which was about 200 volunteers coming in. Thankfully, I had a very relaxing weekend (other than ISU getting me worked up.)




First, this is a little video I made with the music and art teachers last Thursday to promote America Reads on Friday. We couldn't even stop laughing! It was a much-needed break from the stress. It still makes me laugh every time.

This cat couldn't be any cuter. He was so tired, he just passed right out!

That bug was not the highlight of my week. Thankfully my mom got him out.

At ITEC last week, I got to meet author and illustrator Peter H. Reynolds. He has written several books that we have in our library, plus has illustrated some popular series, such as the Fudge series by Judy Bloom and the Judy Moody series by Megan McDonald. I also got our library books signed and a poster signed for me!

Here's a group of school librarians in a photo booth...you had to see the SHUSH coming.

It was senior night in Central City Tuesday, so I went up to support my former players! Me and Ashley snuck a picture in at the end. 

Amy and I played a few games of Bookopoly or Cyclone-opoly this weekend. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE playing Monopoly. Apparently, so does Pacino. 

I also really like fall. It's been perfect weather for going out walking!

Since Cyclones.tv wasn't working at the beginning of the game, we were watching it on the little computer screen again!

He really, really wanted to play.

Work Week

Work was very busy this week, and these are the only two pictures I have other than work pictures!

The Wildkids! We won our league at Volleys! We ended up in a tie-breaker and had to come from behind, but we won!

Pacino always laughs at my jokes...

Okay, maybe he was yawning. He has a rough life.

American Idol, Pie, and Life

This is my year of "being less boring" as per my New Year's Resolution, and I've been able to knock a few things off of my bucket list. One of my dreams since I was a teenager has been to try out for American Idol. Now, we all know I'm not going to make it, and really I'm not a very good singer, I just enjoy music. But, I am 28 this year, which is their age cutoff. I missed the live auditions again, so I submitted this video online instead. Therefore, I have officially "auditioned" for American Idol, even if it wasn't how I always imagined it would be. I'm fairly sure they won't be calling me back, but at least I can say I did it! :)

This is my friend Dakota, who is battling childhood cancer, just like her step-brother Eli did, who I knew from my time in Ames. It was "whipping childhood cancer month" so she pied me in the face during an rewards ceremony at school. Lots of teachers took pies to the face that day!

Seriously, he's the cutest.

Saw some of my old friends at a Central City volleyball game last week.

Met baby Carsyn in the hospital before volleyball last week. He's so cute!

This is how Pacino and I spent our Saturday afternoon--trying to stay warm & watching Cyclone football!