Bad Luck Betty

Sometimes I feel like if it can go wrong, it WILL go wrong for me.
Today I had a short break from tutoring so I decided to run home and get a quick snack. I left my purse in my car, so I just stuck my phone in my back pocket. Before leaving, I made a pit-stop to use the restroom. As I pulled my jeans down, out came the phone into the toilet...
I left it for Wes to doctor and see if it was salvageable. I came home tonight and it's completely shot. He tried rice, blow dryer, whole nine yards. I've only been phone-less for about 8 hours and I've realized how addicted I am to my iPhone. I feel so out of the Twitter/Facebook loop!
I'm hoping that tomorrow I'll be able to go to AT&T and get a new phone or see if they know some iPhone magic that can bring mine back to life.
Oh, and did I mention both Wes's and my computers are on the fritz. Mine won't hold a charge and his isn't recognizing the IP address or something.
Almost forgot, his shoddy iPhone too....his is the old kind and it won't hold a charge either. Knock on wood, my iPad is still working!
We are definitely an Apple family but lately our luck has sucked!!
Hope y'alls day has been better than mine!

I GOT A JOB(s)!!

I started this blog with the intention of keeping track of the events in my life being a newlywed.  To be perfectly honest, there wasn't much worth blogging about up until now.  Sure, I was subbing but that didn't exactly warrant many updates.  Wes's job situation has been bleak to put it nicely.  So, I just abandoned this blog before it ever really got up and running.
Hopefully the great news I have gotten in the past few weeks will change that!!


First, I was contacted about tutoring for the Ole Miss athletic department.  (Very Miss Sue/Michael Oher ala The Blind Side)

 

And yes, I am even tutoring some pretty well-known athletes!  It is really fun and a welcome challenge.  I have 8 student-athletes a day and am helping all of them in the same class--Elementary Statistics.  It has taken a little while for me to remember some the concepts--variance, standard deviations, z-scores, etc.--since it has been 10 years since I took that class.  

*Speaking of 10 years--my class (all 32 of us that graduated in 2001) had our 10 year HS reunion last weekend.  I already had plans, so I didn't get to make it.*

The other BIG EXCITING news is that I got a teaching job for the Fall!!!!!!!!!! After sending out what seems like hundreds of applications and resumes, I was called for 4 interviews.  One of those was at a local school, and the other 3 were all 30 minutes to an hour away.  Needless to say I was really hoping for the local school to work out.  It is a wonderful school in an outstanding district.  It was also the first interview I had, so I feel like I was not at my best because I was SO nervous.  I went on the other 3 interviews and felt really good about all 3, but the driving was just going to be so much.  I was actually offered 2 of the 3 jobs.  I was able to bide some time and not answer one way or the other for a few days.  Then, I got the call to come in for a second interview for my DREAM JOB!  That was Monday.  Today I was called and told that I would be recommended for hire as a first grade teacher at the next school board meeting!  To those of you not in education, that is really just a formality.  Rarely does a school board not approve a principal's recommendation.  

To say that I am giddy/ecstatic/thrilled/relieved would be the understatement of the century.  

I will not say where exactly I will be teaching next year for privacy reasons...there are some creepers on the internet!

But, stay tuned for more frequent blog posts.  Kids make great material!

What I'm Wanting...NOW!

I have been lusting after some aviator sunglasses for some time now.  I think I may bite the bullet and order some after my next paycheck.  (Have I mentioned how badly it sucks to be living paycheck to paycheck?  REALLY praying hard for both Wes and me to find full-time jobs SOON!  Substituting just isn't cutting it.)

Here are the ones I am currently swooning over.

 

Tory Burch Rounded Aviator Sunglasses--$145

Ray Ban Aviators-$140

David Yurman Waverly Aviators- $325

D&G Combo Aviators-$149

I think I am leaning more toward the TBs.  Shocker, I know!  I really wish there was some place around here where I could actually try them on.  I guess if they are huge on my face, I can always send them back. 

Do y'all wear aviators? What kind? Any suggestions that maybe I haven't thought of?

Happy Easter!

I absolutely love this time of year.  

The weather, 

the new springy clothes, 

(there are just too many cute dresses to pick just one to show....)

baseball season,

blooming tulips, 

All images via Google

all of it! 

Of course, this weekend, I'll be thinking about the real reason I love this season- Easter. 

I got my early Easter present from my Mom today.  She asked me last week to look at Tory Burch for something I'd like.  Well, needless to say I found about ten somethings.  I have loved my sand colored Miller sandals SOOOO much, that she got me the black ones with the square logo! 

Tory Burch

Yes, I know I am so lucky to have a mom that spoils me like she does.  I'm an only child and realize how good I have it!

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

 I wanted this...

Clarisonic Mia- $149

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Instead I got this...

Olay Pro-X Cleansing System- $30

Maybe, if I like the results, I'll shell out for the real deal.  Just wanted to try one out before I dove in and spent all that money that could be used on something else *think new Thora flip flops*

Alumni Advisor

This Sunday I am going to my first AAC (Alumni Advisory Committee) meeting for my sorority.

 

I am SO excited!  I loved being in a sorority in college, and since I now live back in my college town I thought it would be a great way to get involved.  

I am not really sure yet what my role will be.  I know the year is winding down so it will probably not really start until next Fall.  Either way I am looking forward to it.  I'll probably be the youngest alum there (only 6 years out of college) but I figure I'll be able to relate to the girls and know more about what it's like since things have changed a lot since the '70s-when most of the AAC members were in college.  

Another month and no new post...Wow!  I really am a GREAT blogger, huh?
So to catch you up on life...

• Finished the 3rd grade maternity leave.  I really loved it and so enjoyed being back in the classroom.  I have a week or 2 off before the next maternity leave starts.  I'll enjoy getting to spend some time with Wes (who has still not gone back to work. UGH!)
• The Job Fair I went to a few weeks ago was not too promising.  I was really hoping I would have gotten a good feeling about getting a job here next year.  But, that wasn't the case.  There were  hundreds of people there for maybe a dozen jobs.  
• There is a rumor around the school I am subbing at that there may be a sixth grade position open next year.  I would LOVE to get that, but as any of you who are teachers or work in schools know, you can't always believe what you hear. FINGERS CROSSED!
• I have started posting a few OOTD pictures on Twitter.  It is definitely out of my comfort zone.  I am not always the most trendy dresser.  In college, my friends would make fun of me for dressing like a teacher to go to the bar.  And I sometimes dress more like a 45 year old mom, not a 28 year old newlywed.  Follow me on Twitter to see (click on the button on my sidebar), you just have to promise not to laugh!
• I am loving the fact that it's finally warming up and I can wear sandals!  I need to rotate my closet and get some of my Spring/Summer cloths out of storage.  I'm going to try to not overspend on new clothes and just work with what I already have.  It'll be hard.  I have already seen so much at Anthro that I want!
• Wes and I have been doing P90x for about 3 weeks now.  He seems to think he can already tell a difference in his clothes. Damn, men...  But, I can actually do a real push-up now!  That's a definite improvement!  I'm going to stick it out and hope to see some results before I put this flabby body in a bathing suit!  

Sorry for the long post and no pictures.  I left my computer at my mom's last week and am using Wes's so I don't have any of my pictures.
HAPPY SPRING!!

I am alive...

Wow...Can't believe I've let so much time pass without posting.  A little catch-up:

• I started teaching for a 3rd grade teacher who is out on maernity leave.  It's nice to be in the same classroom everyday and have more of a routine.  Once this teacher returns, I'll be moving on to do a 5th grade math teacher's maternity leave.  
• Next Saturday, I am going to a Prospective Employee Job Fair for the local school district.  I have already made some connections that I hope will help with finding a job for next year closer to home.  (I'm driving an hour each way to sub).  
• Last weekend, Wes and I went back to Anniston, AL (where I grew up) to move my mom out of my childhood house.  WOW-my mom kept everything I had growing up.  It was nice to go through things and see stuff I had forgotten all about.  
• While we were there, I got to see my best friend, Megan, and her husband.  I have missed that girl SO much!  
• I CUT MY HAIR!!! Susie (my hairdresser who also did my hair for my wedding) was so nice to work me in on Saturday.  I will not let anyone else touch my hair.  Guess I'll keep driving 4 hours back to AL for her!  I don't have a picture of my hair because I'm on Spring Break and haven't put on makeup or done my hair. UGH.....And now Blogger won't even let me upload my inspiration picture!  But, I took in a picture of Lauren Conrad when she had a shoulder length bob.  

Since Blogger is not cooperating, I'll try again later.  I promise I won't take another month-long hiatus.  

Bad Blogger

I am officially, a terrible blogger.  I have let too many excuses (and not even good ones) keep me from blogging.  I PROMISE to be better!

Just to catch you all up:

• Wes is still unemployed, but has filed a claim with BP so we are waiting to hear back on that.  He has also been told to just be patient because his complany is sure something else will become available in the future, just not sure yet what/when/where it mat be....
• I have been subbing a good bit and am really enjoying it!  I have had to stretch my comfort zone a little--I'm used to teaching 2nd grade and have been subbing in 5th and 6th grade classes.  These kids are as big as me!  And I can't be as soft spoken as could with the younger ones.
• Wes and I went to Orange Beach, AL last weekend to celebrate a friend's birthday.  It was so fun getting to go away for the weekend and relax.  It was COLD, but still lots of fun. 
• When I was subbing today, something terrible happened.  We heard all the ambulances going to this wreck.  They were seniors from a nearby town that had been to Ole Miss for a career fair.   My heart breaks for those families and that whole school system. 

So, sorry again for my lackluster blogging performance. 

This post has been a long time coming.  True, the timing of everything could have been better but we knew it was an inevitable thing.  Wes lost his job on Friday (the day before my birthday).

When Wes and I met in June 2009 (no we hadn't been dating long before we got engaged), he was working for a Norwegian oil company.  He was contracted to them to do logistics for supply boats going to and from the oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico out of Southern Louisiana.  His schedule was 7 days on, 7 days off.  He made great money and was never in a dangerous position like the people out on the rigs.  He was pretty  much in an office doing paperwork.  Then, in April 2010....

 He was able to continue his regular job for a few months (through the summer) because everything that was in the Gulf had to come back to shore.  His company in Louisiana was luckily able to keep most of its employees in some manner.  Maybe not their usual job, but they were doing something associated with the spill and clean-up.
We knew it was only a matter of time before Wes's position would be affected.  He was moved to Mobile around August (not sure exact dates) to coordinate the evacuation of the clean-up equipment if there happened to be a hurricane in the gulf.  This was a 14 day on, 7 day off schedule---still do-able.
After hurricane season, he was moved back to south Louisiana to work on decontamination of the clean-up equipment.  (All these were office jobs and he was never physically cleaning)  This schedule was more "work as much as you can and take off only when you have to".  This allowed him to work a lot and we were able to save some money, but it was hard to be away from him so much.  He was given 2 weeks off at Christmas and was unsure of whether or not he would be needed again after the New Year.  Luckily, he was called back and got to work for another month.
So, it wasn't a surprise that he got laid off, but it still sucks.  Hopefully, Obama will let drilling start back up soon and Wes will be able to have his old job back.  Oh, and YES he did file a claim with BP, so maybe something will come of that....
This is going to be a blessing though.  I am sure of it.  It will only make us stronger as a couple.  I look forward to what God has planned for us.

Sorry this post was so long, but I felt like y'all needed the whole story.


P.S. I'll have a birthday post later with some of the goodies I got!

Birthday Month

I have always been one to overemphasize my birthday and turn it into my birthmonth.  This year my sweet mom has had a gift for me every Saturday in January since my birthday is the last Saturday of the month this year. 

My first Saturday gift was a trip to the Mississippi Delta to go to all the pottery places.  I love Mississippi pottery but have never been to any of the studios.  We're planning on going to McCarty's in Marigold and Peter's Pottery in Mound Bayou.  Of course, we'll do some good eating while we're there also!

McCarty bowl

Lee and Pup McCarty

Peter's Pottery

Doe's Eat Place!

The second Saturday's gift was subscriptions to several magazines and a Groupon for a haircut in Memphis. 

I actually don't remember what other magazines she told me, but I know Oprah was one of them...

Last Saturday, I got a smaller sized Crockpot that I desperately needed.  (We registered for a huge one and a tiny dip sized for the wedding but not just a normal everyday size for some reason).  She also got me an Arthur Court Fleur-de-Lis trivet to go with my other pieces. 

When I got home today from subbing (I've been subbing everyday since my last post.  I think I forgot how tired I am after teaching all day.), my gift from Wes had been delivered.  He has hidden it somewhere in the condo.  I'm dying to go searching for it, but I'm going to try to be good!

Our plans for the actual birthDAY are pretty low-key.  We will go to the Ole Miss/Kentucky basketball game, then like every other year we'll go eat Japanese.  Ever since I was a little girl, we eat Japanese for my birthday. 

It'll be so nice to have everyone who loves me there with me.  I'm a lucky lady!

Teaching vs. Subbing

I stared substituting yesterday since I am not teaching this year.  After moving and planning a wedding, it was just hard to dedicate the time and energy into finding a full time job.  I helped my dad out in the Fall and helped at my grandmother's bakery from Thanksgiving until Christmas.  I had been keeping myself fairly busy until January.  I found out about 2 maternity leaves I could do so I applied for those but was called earlier this week to sub Wednesday-Friday of this week and 3 days next week.  I have a feeling I will be able to sub a good bit for the rest of the school year.  This is so exciting to me because I was really missing being in the classroom.  

Reading aloud to my second graders last year.  Love those kiddos!

'

We had a class store where they could spend "money" they'd earned during the month for doing their jobs.

I wanna go back to my school NOW!

To cut or not to cut...

I am 28 and I have the same hair "style" since....well since forever. 

When I was 20 I cut about 12 inches off and donated it to Locks of Love.  It was something that I had wanted to do for a long time and went well over year without a haircut.  I felt great after doing it.  I had to get used to the shorter hair, but honestly it wasn't that short--just a tad above my shoulders.

The other day I got to thinking about my last haircut.  It was in FEBRUARY, y'all!  As in almost a year ago.  I remember it because it was the week before I got engaged.  After starting to think about wedding stuff I decided to let it grow out so I could wear it up and have plenty of volume. 

I look young for my age anyway (people think I am still in college), and I know long hair does nothing to help the matter.  I have enough length to donate again.  Locks of Love requires 10 inches.  Be honest with me....Should I do it??

Sorry my toilet seat is up...Gross...

This is where 10 inches would be...Right at my chin.  Too short??

Can I pull something like this off with my face shape?

I'm nervous!!!  Please give me advice! Should I wait a few more months to donate so it won't be so so short?  Or do I need to just cut it anyway and not worry about the 10 inches?  I hate to be selfish about it bring too short when so many kids are without hair and could benefit from it....

Sweet Annie over at Classic Annie gave me this award yesterday! 
I'm supposed to share 7 facts about myself.  Well...here goes:

1.  I have never tasted mayonnaise or mustard before!  I'm sure I've had food that had them cooked in, but have never put either on a sandwich or hamburger.  Something about the consistency weirds me out.

2.  I cannot STAND the smell of pickles!  GROSS!  When I was teaching and a student would bring in a pickle to eat for snack, I would make them eat it in the hall!  Mean maybe but it had to be done.  Wes likes to joke that when I get pregnant I will probably crave pickles.  Ugh, I hope not! 

3.  I danced for 15 years growing up--all the way until my senior year of high school.  I took tap and jazz.  Ballet was never my cup of tea....

**I really wish I could find a picture of one of my crazy costumes at a recital...

I'll look at my mom's and add that later!**

4.  I love manatees.  Some people collect dolphins or elephants or rabbits...I prefer manatees.  My aunt even adopted one in my name one year for Christmas when I was younger.  His name was Floyd and he lived in Clear Springs, Florida. 

5.  The day I rescued my dog LuLu was one of the best days of my life!  I don't even remember what it was like before I had her.  It's silly to say but it's like when moms say that don't remember life before their children.  LuLu is my child!

6.  I want to be a better cook.  But I am such a picky eater it's hard to find things that sound appealing.

7.  I have bitten my nails my whole life.  I am trying to get better by keeping them painted most of the time but when they start to get a little bit of length on them they break and I get discouraged and start biting again...

I'm supposed to "tag" other bloggers to participate in this...well, if you are reading this, consider yourself tagged!! 

Savings "Account"

In college, I started saving coins in a five gallon water jug.  It was my "wedding dress fund".  Psycho because I had no real prospect for a husband at the time?  Possibly....but it was easy to throw my coins in there at the end of the day and see it slowly fill up.  I did that for 5 years through undergrad and graduate school.  When I moved back to AL after college, it was HEAVY!  When I actually got engaged, it became more of a reality and I really started to think about the money I was putting in there.  When it came time to schedule dress appointments, my mom and I drug it out and started rolling the coins.  It took us a whole weekend, but in the end I had almost $2000!!!!  And it was money I never missed because it was just loose change. 

Now that I don't need a wedding dress fund anymore, I have changed my jug's purpose---It is now our down-payment fund for when we can finally buy a real house and get out of this condo.  We just started, but I know that it will add up! 

We are also planning on using the money that I have coming in from the rent I get on my house in AL that is in a REAL savings account at a bank.  

Do y'all have any savings secrets or tips??

Weekend "Fun"

I spent this weekend doing something that had to be done, not something I wanted to do...painting!  This summer when I moved into Wes's condo I tried to feminize/update it a little bit.  This place was a shrine to all things Ole Miss.  Don't get me wrong,  l love Ole Miss too, I just don't want to live in it.  I took down all the Rebel paraphernalia and painted the kitchen, living room, dining room, and master bed and bath.  And when I say I painted it, I mean I painted it.  Wes "doesn't paint" as he put it.  He thought it was fine the way it was...trust me it wasn't!  I didn't even take any before pictures because I didn't want documentation of the ugliness that he let himself live in.

For some reason I never got around to painting the guest bedroom and bathroom.  I had already changed out the bedding and shower curtain/bath mats (you may not believe me when I say this but that boy had an OLE MISS shower curtain and bath mat....you can't make this stuff up.  This 33 year old MAN decorated as if he lived in a dorm room). 

I found a picture of it on Google so you could see how terrible it was...

My mom came up and helped me since Wes is at work.  I'm so glad I have that knocked off the to-do list.  Once I get it put back together I'll share some pictures. 

Sunday night, the SNOW came!  I had been hearing all week that it was going to snow, but we hear that a lot and it never really happens. So I honestly didn't believe it was coming.  Color me wrong, cause it came!  It is was so pretty (and still is at the moment, we'll see how long it lasts).  Here are a few pics I snapped around the condo.

LuLu hates going out in the rain, so she wasn't too sure about this snow business.

Have I mentioned I live in the same complex as my dad??  Yeah, interesting! He came out to sweep off his "work truck" so he could go to the office.

Like how he protected his windshield?  Two Buck Chuck box!

Six inches on top of the truck!   

Did y'all get any snow?