Random Photo Wednesday

 

"I don't have parasites anymore!" #partytime

Monday

 This is actually from Halloween. It may have taken three raw hides to keep her quiet with all of the munchkins at our door!

Menu Planning Monday
monday :: spicy garlic salmon, couscous + sauteed zucchini
tuesday :: leftover Thanksgiving turkey enchiladas
wednesday :: leftovers
thursday :: "OMG chicken," rice, and steamed broccoli
friday :: Trader Joe's pesto-filled tortellini with meat sauce + salad
saturday :: Christmas party

Surprisingly, today wasn't nearly as painful as I was thinking it would be. Tomorrow my kids are taking a test, so that means some peace and quiet for me! In semi-related news, my students have been cracking me up more than usual. Sometimes I roll my eyes, but sometimes I just have to laugh along with them. The thing I love about seventh grade is that there is this crazy dichotomy between acting absolutely insane and trying to fit in with the crowd.

1. I love sunsets. Snapped this tonight and 5 minutes later the clouds had dissipated and my pretty pink sky was gone.

2. Sophie gets right in my face when my phone comes out. She used to loathe having her picture taken but has become  more obliging lately.

3. Just read Reached today (#3 in Matched series) and am still pondering it. I guess that's the point of reading. In the words of Tyson, I'm into "dystopian whatever" right now. Maybe that's indicative of my political outlook right now.

4. Have you seen "Lolwork"? It's kind of like a real version of "The Office." Loves it.

5. Happy Thanksgiving!

Too much relaxing, not enough work going on.

Scene: in my parents' living room, watching the Aggie football game

Dad: So...does the basketball team move to the SEC too?
[laughter]
Mom: Yes. The whole school is in the SEC now.
Dad: Like what?
Me: Everyone. Volleyball, golf, soccer, equestrian...Jumanji.
My parents: Jumanji?!?!
Me: Yes.

Loving some quality family time...and being lazy.

Currently.

Listening...to scrapbooking podcasts. Nerdy and strange, I'm aware.

Enjoying...the beginning of a new six weeks. No pressure of grading and a lighter to do list.

Drinking...more water. I had forgotten how much I love it.

Thinking...about a December documenting project. Whoop!

Obsessed...with Rudy's breakfast tacos. Tyson is so good to me and brings two on Saturdays.

(Still) Celebrating...the football win this weekend! My students share good news on Mondays and someone from each class mentioned it. They know how to make me smile. And I have quite a few Aggies in my classes. :o)

Organizing...my classroom and home closet. I need order and simplicity!

Thankful...for the blessings in my life. We are talking about expository writing and themes of family and freedoms. Just made me realize that it's so easy to get caught up in things I "have" to do.

Praying...for my friends and family. It seems like 2012 has been full of heavy stuff.

General shenanigans.

This little bug better be glad I love her. Today I found out that my little Sophie has tapeworms...joy. Kind of confused on how that happened. So more medicine for the sweet girl, which she loves because that means pill pockets (her favorite). I do love her so much, and I think we're definitely BFF now. She hardly ever leaves my side. Even if I'm in bed and I won't let her up with me, she gets under the bed right beneath me. Kind of funny. My favorite Sophie-ism is that any time we put on shoes, she trots over and lays down right on our feet. Like, please--take me with you!!

I mentioned earlier about how I have been lazy in the kitchen lately. To emphasize this point, Tyson called on his way home yesterday to see where I wanted to get dinner (since he just assumed I didn't have anything planned). Little did he know, I had already been to the grocery store (ugh: sidenote...I did not have a good shopping trip, and then a former student today said he saw me and I was "zooming through the store" with a serious face. Ha!) and was marinating shrimp for this delicious recipe: honey lime shrimp. Definitely a favorite. Thank you, Pinterest.

Menu Planning Monday/Tuesday
monday :: honey lime shrimp, brown rice + salad (yum as always. love this recipe!!)
tuesday :: pork tenderloin with raspberry chipotle sauce, quinoa + salad (yum--seared in a skillet + baked)
wednesday :: cheesy chicken and rice bake (out of chicken, used a little ground beef I had and it was pretty tasty)
thursday :: crispy buffalo chicken + salad (didn't make. we went out for mexican food. yuuum.)
friday :: leftovers!

Random favorite quote: "Why do Americans like macaroni and cheese so much?" --Norwegian student

MIA

I have been blog lazy again. I blame school...this six weeks has been insane. I've been coming straight home and pretty much crashing every day. Cooking efforts have been minimal and the house had not been cleaned in at least two weeks. I finally had a few hours this morning to catch up on chores around here though. I guess that can happen when you go to bed early on a Friday night. And when you're procrastinating grading short answer tests. But I've vowed to stay organized this next six weeks! I'm getting to school early on Monday to clear off my desk for a fresh start. Here's to hoping at least...