Just another Friday night...or, reason #98569 why I love my (former) roommate

What? You know you want to know what all the fuss is about too. Turns out, the fuss is about nothing. It was pretty gross. But I'm glad we tried it. And since we work with children and judges, we went with no-face photos.

that's too bad

I really wanted to like my kids today. Really did. But they sure did everything they could in the last 90 minutes to make that basically impossible. ::sigh:: At least it's Friday.

Decision made

Thanks for all the help, ladies! I ended up buying a pair of shoes for Maggie's wedding at DSW this afternoon. They are nothing like what I was looking at online, but I was able to try them on, which is always helpful. And they were a "Big Deal" which meant I got them for less than $50!

Check them out:
They're actually a little less pink and more of a bronze color. And they're about 3.5 inches high. I think they'll be good. Your thoughts?

Grown up sleep

As you know, the bed bugs ruined our old bed. It had been Brian's bed since he finished college. He was sad to see it go. And I was sad because he was sad. But we were *both* sad because, with it gone and our bedroom infested, we had to sleep here:


Some of you have had the privilege of sleeping in our guest room/library/storage space. If you have, you'll recognize what has been our bedroom for the last two-plus months. The bed has been with me since *I* finished college and while it was perfect for single me and okay for guests visiting for one or two nights, it is not so awesome for me and my 6'3" husband. Certainly not for 60+ consecutive nights.

Imagine our happiness, then, to have this delivered today:


Nice, huh? Just wait until you see it dressed! Thanks to the many C&B and Macy's gift cards we received for the wedding - and the flexibility of credit cards - we were able to purchase a very fancy bed (from C&B) - you might not be able to tell, but that's a leather panel inset in the headboard - and a super luxurious mattress (from Macy's).

And thanks to those who bought us the bedding on our registry, our bedroom is now quite grown up. Witness:


Sweet dreams, all!

MOH fashion advice

As most of you know, Maggie is getting married soon and I am the MATRON (!) of honor. The wedding is happening HERE (indoors) on a Saturday evening in November.

I am starting to shop for my shoes and could use your help. My dress - each BM is wearing a different dress - is this beauty from Bill Levkoff (in case you can't tell, it is navy, not black):


I originally hoped to wear something along the lines of an emerald green satin shoe, but I cannot seem to find one in my size that is the shade of green I was hoping for. So, I have rethought my options and have decided that I can be happy with one of the following four options. But, of course, I want to know what YOU think!

Option #1Option #2
Option #3
Option #4Sorry the sizes are so off; most days I don't have the patience to play around with formatting here. I look forward to hearing your thoughts!

Skeptical

I am always amazed when things work the way someone says they would. Not normal everyday things, mind you. I mean, I'm not amazed when my car starts or when hand soap gets the dry erase marker smudges off my hands, but when someone shares a less than well-known use for something and swears that it works...well, I'm a little skeptical.

Brian and I have tried every bathroom cleaner in the store in our attempt to combat the mildew buildup in the corners of our shower (you know, the place where the bathtub edge meets the tile wall). Nothing has worked. Last night, my latest issue of Real Simple offered another option. A reader suggested that you can soak cotton balls in bleach and wedge them into the aforementioned corners for an hour. She swore that this removed the mildew completely. I told Brian, but cautioned that it might just lighten the mildew as other chemical cleaners have done.

This morning while I was running errands, Brian put this new method to the test. I couldn't believe what I saw - clean white grout where mildew had once been. Thank you, lady from Lindenhurst, IL, for sharing this wonderful cleaning tip. Who'd have known?

Feeding my ego

Today, with the lesson finished, the homework explained, and 20 minutes remaining in class, my students asked to see wedding pictures. Conveniently, our photographer posted our wedding on her blog just yesterday. And so, off we went to view the site. I have to tell you, they were very complimentary and it was just a nice feeling. It reminded me of why I like to work with the older students - not that they say nice things to me, but that they are genuinely interested in other people's lives and always looking to talk about their views on all things adult. Looking at the pictures led to a conversation about relationships and trust and knowing one's self. Good times.

If you'd like to see the post I mentioned, you can find it at our photographer's website. Feel free to say nice things about us. :)

Happy hump day!

Brand new year

Although I have been back at work since August 5th, today was my first day teaching students this school year. It was a mixed bag, but, generally, I am always happier with students than without.

Each year, the first thing I ask students to do is to write me a letter. In the letter, they must tell me their goals and their strengths/weaknesses as a learner. They are also free to share with me any other information they want. Here are some of the highlights (for various reasons):

- After college, I will become a game designer. After monopolizing the gaming industry, I plan on using my money to pursue a campaign to change black communities nationwide.

- I love UFC, but only to watch, not to act.

- Congratulations! I bet it's great to be married!

- In my eyes, I really think I have a problem with test taking.

- PS: If you ever need assistance with anything, I am available.

- I would rather be called "Modello"

- My weakness is the cold because it makes me fall asleep.

- I listen to only old music.

- My goal is to maintain a 2.9 GPA or higher (3.0 sounds too much like a cliche!).

- I appreciate you because it is evident you love your job.

- You taught me two years ago. If you liked me then, you'll like me even more now.

- My last year of high school...I'm glad you get to be a part of it.

- I am a very intelligent young lady.

- I would like to believe that you and I have a good relationship.

- I'm me to the max.

- Just a heads up, I'm not too picky about food.

- My goal is to not be like the people I live around and to go to college.

- I'm looking forward to being in your class for a WHOLE TEN MONTHS.

- I am a man of simple needs.

- My desire is to uplift, inspire, support, and revolutionize society through music and poetry.

It is going to be another rewarding (and challenging) year!

A semi-triumphant return

Okay, so it’s been a while. Sorry. First, I was busy. Then I was unmotivated. Then lazy. Then, busy again. And now? Now I have no excuse. Here’s a rundown on the last few months (I’m going to go back a bit to fill in some gaps):

In April, I turned 30! Brian threw me a party of sorts at a brewery near Union Station. It was an informal and very casual get-together after work and I had a great time hanging out with so many friends from so many eras of my life: from high school to college, Chicago to Wisconsin to DC to Maryland, my first years at SEED to my current years, my single life to my almost-married life! No one thought to take any pictures of the people, but here’s a picture I snapped of my feet while waiting for Brian to meet me:

I also finished graduate school that month – after nearly two years, I submitted my final portfolio piece and started to wait for my diploma! I don’t feel much different now that I have a Master’s degree, but it sure felt good to be done writing papers and discussion posts! Here’s a picture of my (BIG) fancy diploma:

In May, I went to Miami with Elizabeth, Marcia, Karen, and Rachel (and Cole – Cole was there in spirit!). We celebrated my birthday, my completion of the Master’s program, AND my rapidly-approaching wedding! We went to fun places for good food and entertainment:

We spent a lot of time on the beach:

And we enjoyed plenty of delicious cocktails:

At the end of May, Brian, his mom, his sister and I flew to Chicago for the Midwest bridal shower. Hosted by my mom, my sisters, and Maggie, it was a great afternoon at a neighborhood restaurant my family loves (my 8^th grade graduation luncheon was at the same place). I was honored to have so many women come out to celebrate me and loved being able to catch up with folks at my parents’ house afterward.

In June, my students (the first group of 7^th graders I taught in DC), graduated high school. My mom and dad also flew out over Father’s Day weekend for the East Coast bridal shower (hosted by Judy and Erin, my mother and sister in law (to be)). Again, I was moved by the outpouring of love and support.

In July, I got married. NBD. Actually, it was a really big deal! We had an AMAZING rehearsal dinner on a chartered yacht out of Annapolis. The food was great, the wine was flowing and the weather…thank goodness, the weather was fabulous! More than that, though, the boat was filled with some of our very favorite people and to be able to spend a few stress-free hours with them the day before our wedding was priceless.

The next day, we got married! It was a perfect day - from start to finish it was so much fun! We laughed and ate and hugged and drank and danced (and then Brian danced some more). We’re still waiting on the professional pictures, but, luckily for us, we know more than a few folks who are handy with a point-and-shoot! Here's our photographer's "sneak peek" for your enjoyment!

After the wedding, we were off to St. Lucia for a week-long honeymoon. The weather was…weird…but it was warm and there were pools and beaches and volcanoes and all-inclusive food and drinks to enjoy. Brian and I had never really vacationed together before this trip (we’d taken trips before – to see family, go to events, etc – but never a legitimate, just the two of us, vacation) and it was wonderful. I even managed to take close to 100 pictures, which is unheard of for me!

In August, I went back to work. I got a manicure to help me be excited. It chipped the very next day. I tried not to take it as an omen.

Also in August, Judy and Erin traveled to Italy for a little over a week. They had a fantastic time until Erin fell in Venice and broke her foot. In two places! Not that she knew that then. Poor Erin. And Kara had her baby – Connor Wayne – at the end of the month. He is gorgeous and adorable and I can’t wait to get down to the Keys to meet him! And Elizabeth started law school – I’m so proud of her, making the scary jump from full-time employment back to full-time student!

The other big thing in August, which was not at all fun, was finding out we had a bedbug infestation. You can say it – EWW! But after throwing away our bed (ALL of it), washing all of our clothes, cleaning our carpet, and living out of piles and plastic bins for a month, we are hoping we have it under control.

And now it’s September. Kids are back at school, although my high schoolers won’t check in until after Labor Day. Brian and I are going to the MD State Fair on Saturday and picnicking at his mom’s house on Sunday. The exterminator comes back on the 7^th for a second inspection, at which time we hope to get the “all clear.” Cole’s having her baby soon, Brian’s going to NC for work in a few weeks, Maggie’s bachelorette party and shower are also in a few weeks. Then, I’m going to a conference in Chicago and Maggie’s getting married and then it’s Thanksgiving and Christmas and Chanukah and New Year’s. Phew!

So, there you have it – most of my year in review. Big things, people…big things!