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!