I have 35 days left of summer.

Today marks the middle of my summer vacation. I've been out of the classroom for 36 days and I'll return to the classroom in 35 days. Which means I've over the hump. It takes me a while to get the whole feel of vacation; to realize and enjoy that I'm on my own time schedule. Usually it takes about two weeks. In that time, I like to do nothing but what I like to do (watch TV on my couch) and after that I try to be productive. It works about 50% of the time.

The truth is, I love not working. I enjoy my job, but I really feel like I'm meant to stay home all day. (who doesn't feel that way, right?) Given the chance, I'm almost positive I wouldn't spend all my time on the couch either. For example, I got out of the house every day this week. I forced myself -- granted my outings were to meet up with friends, have date nights with Sean, and spend time with my family... I was still out. And it was fantastic. Rough life, right?

For about two weeks I sort of did nothing. The third week, I was a bit more "motivated" and started pinning some activities/projects/works for my classroom, I organized classroom materials (which sort of took a long time and took over my living room, it was a bit messy) + I wrote out some lessons. After that point we left for our summer trips here and there and thankfully we have two more to go (road tripping down the west coast & a weekend in Maine). In the five weeks I've had since the end of the school year -- I think I've had my fair share of relaxing, traveling and hanging out. It's been real.

I started thinking about my summer plans + goals I created back in June:

As far as our planned events are going -- they're going. I'm dragging Sean to see Taylor Swift in concert this weekend (he's absolutely thrilled), we leave next week for Seattle and at the end of the summer we have our second wedding of the season. As for my goals? They make me laugh a bit. Water? Walking? Blogging? DIYing? Paying off debt? I don't think so...

source.

I had good intentions for these last 36 days. I swear. In a few ways, I've been successful (for example, in the reading department). I thought I would be more interested in blogging which is why I set that goal so high. Turns out, as of now -- I enjoy reading more than sitting at the computer. Who knew?

In the hopes of looking back at the summer, specifically these last 35 days, and holding a sense of accomplishment rather than utter failure -- I thought I'd make a revised list of my goals.

- Drink a glass of water for every glass of Coke
- Wear sunscreen every day
- Exercise 3 times per week
- Read 1 book per week + blog about it
- Blog 4 times per week
- Complete 2 DIY projects + blog about them
- Minimize my clothes/shoes
- Pay down one credit card

 I hope the next 35 days bring motivation and productivity.

Weekly Recap.

The week sort of got away from me.

I guess that's what happens to teachers during report writing time.

It's also been in the negatives weather wise.

It, obviously, could be a lot colder but when you wake up to see -18,

all you can think about is the number of hours it'll be until you can be back in bed again.

(12 hours for me, by the way).

Basically, I've been using my computer as a heating pad.

Putting it on my lap, closed and just enjoying the warmth.

Apollo's been doing this:

Lounging by the fireplace, that is.

And Sean is still not wearing a jacket.

What is that about?

I'll never know.

Even though we froze, we didn't starve.

Here is what we had for dinner last week:

Monday: Tortellini Soup.

I got the recipe from my cousin Brett, who got it from her sister in-law. I was a little nervous, and Sean said I went too light on most of the veggies and that it would have been a lot better if I hadn't been so conservative with the onions and bok choy. I was surprised I even brought myself to purchase it at the grocery store.

But basically, I sauteed onions, mushrooms, garlic in a pan.

Brought 2 boxes of chicken broth to a boil, then added a family sized portion of tortellinis.

Cooked them for the amount of time the package said, I think it was like 12 minutes.

Added the veggies and bok choy at the end.

A plus point is that I got to use my Le Crueset for the first time.

Tuesday: Buffalo wings and homemade french fries.

This one is pretty self-explanatory.

I'll just say we make our "own" hot sauce.

By mixing garlic, butter, Parmesan cheese, and adobo with Frank's Red Hot.

It's delicious.

Wednesday: Bacon, chicken, ranch pizza.

When I vowed to make meals at home, I never said they'd be healthy.

For this, we sauteed chicken.

Rolled out the pizza dough... you can make your own but buying it at the grocery store is much easier.

Bake the dough by itself for a little bit.

Like 7 or 8 minutes.

Then add the ranch dressing, a little goes a long way.

Add the chicken, fresh mozzarella, slices tomatoes, and crumbled up bacon.

Oh yah, cook some bacon.

It's easiest in the microwave so it doesn't make a complete mess.

Cook it all in the oven.

400 degrees, about 20 minutes... give or take.

The thicker the dough, the longer it takes.

Thursday: Chicken Parmesan.

Cover 2 breasts of chicken in breadcrumbs, bake them in the oven.

Cook some pasta.

Make your sauce.

You're done.

Easy, peasy.

And for a blogging recap:

Sunday: Our weekend.

Monday: Sean's new band: i invent.

Tuesday: Facts about me.

Wednesday: The great fall.

:)

Oh, motivation.

via.

That's how I feel about two things... specifically.

1. exercising

&

2. sticking to a budget

Ugh.

Goals for summer.

Today is my first official day of summer. 

It's so nice to wake up without an alarm clock!

Here's a list of summer plans & goals:

- Train Apollo to stay off tables and counters.

- Travel to CA.

- Attend 2 baby showers, 1 bridal shower, and 1 wedding.

- Blog at least 4 times a week.

- Celebrate our 1 year wedding anniversary.

- Go zip-lining.

- Exercise at least 3 times a week.

- Keep the house neat and clean.

- Go to the beach at least once.

- Go grocery shopping regularly.

- Cook more & eat out less.

- Watch Will & Grace, Full House, Step by Step, Boy Meets World and all the other shows played during daytime tv.

- Finish the Hunger Game series.

- Read at least 5 books.

- Continue checking off things on my list of 101 in 1001. 

:)

5 things.

It's been a while since I've posted. Let me catch you up: 

1. I finished my Montessori training [almost!], the school year is almost done [9 more days!], Sean is finally home [for a full weekend!], we've been out with friends [Apollo had a play date with her brother!], saw Men in Black III [I'd recommend it!], went to a cookout [and had a gourmet meal!], played badminton on teams of way too many people [I'm so NOT good], and laughed a lot.

2. Today, we'll be celebrating Memorial Day with our families at a cookout at Sean's parent's house.

3. The T.V. season is winding down and sadly, more and more of the shows I watch[ed] on regular basis were CANCELED. Ugh. What a waste of my time. But I'm pumped for summer movies! Mainly Snow White and the Huntsman, Prometheus, That's my Boy, Ted, The Campaign... and skipping ahead to Fall/Winter -- I'll just mention Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, part 2 AND later The Great Gatsby!

4. I booked my flight to California for the end of June! I can't wait!

5. I'm really itching to buy summer clothes. Too bad you need that stuff called money.

Road trip tips.

Our weekend trip to Baltimore was practice for any summer excursions Sean and I may find ourselves doing. We definitely want a road trip of some sort (California or Tennessee) and the 7 hour trip (total time: 14 hours) certainly put some things into perspective.

Here are some things that helped make the road trip such a success.

1. Pack snacks: I will admit that my parent's packed this cooler for us but it was definitely a great idea. It's so nice to have some things to munch on and not to feel like you have to stop at the next rest area to buy junk food. We snacked on veggies and cheese sticks and had cold beverages, also!

2. Embrace rest areas: It's important to take a break every few hours to stretch, use the bathroom, get some fresh air and obviously take some pictures! It's much easier to enjoy the ride when you don't have to pee! Plus, you'll want to fill up with gas on the regular. It would be really inconvenient to run out of gas...

3. Get rid of things you don't need: Clearly, it's a good idea to start your road trip with a clean car. Don't bring things you won't need or want. One step further is to utilize the trash cans at all those rest areas you stop at! No sense in traveling with trash from one state to the next. Plus, everyone is much happier when they don't have wrappers and bottles moving around by their feet!

4. Play games: First, I'd push for conversation. But sometimes a game is just what you need. Our favorite: Name that artist. We press "scan" on the radio and while the stations zip by we name all the artists singing. You could keep score and whoever guesses the most... wins! I also really enjoy the "scan" button on the radio because it really gives you the chance to be a judge on "The Voice". You can choose to let the songs go by or you can choose to hit the button and listen to the song til the end! Try it!

5. Dress comfortably: I feel like this doesn't need explaining. Although... I will say you should dress presentable. What if there's a perfect photo opportunity?! You'll want to look good.

6. Have a map: I know it's the age of the GPS, iPhones, Droids, or whatever else you have. Believe me.. Sean and I had 4 devices in our car that all could have told us where to go. However we still had a map. Not only are they interesting to look it... but WHAT IF something was to happen?! Maps are cheap. I got the one above for $2 at Target and it has EVERY single state. Buy yourself one.

7. Stay awake: Obviously this doesn't need explaining for the driver. But even for the passenger... it's important! Imagine how boring it would be for the driver if your passed out in the front (or back) seat. It'd be awful. I stay awake by talking, singing, passing out snacks, taking pictures, playing games, reading wikipedia pages aloud... I mean the things you could do are really endless!

:)