Year 2 - Day 286 - October 14

Tonight I attended the Maryland State Teacher of the Year banquet with some of my colleagues. One of my friends and fellow media specialists won the honor at our county level and was a top 7 finalist for the state. Due to those awesome circumstances, the higher-ups in our county paid for a table of media specialists to go and enjoy the evening. While our friend did not win, we had a great time and the person who did win will be a great voice for our state.

There was a tanker accident on 95 in Harford County, so it took 3 hours to get to Martin's West from Perryville. Ouch. Luckily we got there just in time to see the ceremony begin. Whew. If you ever have an opportunity to go, you should because it's a great evening. I saw lots of people I know from other counties, as well, and enjoyed a chance to get dressed up.

Years and years ago, our high school had prom at Martin's West. I have a picture with me and the same three guys from two consecutive proms in this room. (One was from my senior year and one from the year after since the guy I was dating was younger.) The pictures both have this chandelier in the background, and the pictures together in side by side frames made a complete chandelier. I always thought that was pretty cool (and random, because we didn't do it on purpose!) but tonight I realized the same chandelier is hanging in a few different spaces throughout the room, so our pictures were a little less random than previously believed.

Year 2 - Day 285 - October 13

How can you tell it's rainy?

Look up at the sky.

But if that isn't an option, just check to see if there's a worm in my classroom. They come in droves - sneaking under the door along with the puddles. Today I had a few big books next to my rocking chair that we were using for activities. When I picked up the last one, there was a worm under it. The second graders were in awe. "Hey! That thing's real!" Luckily one of my darlings was willing to rescue the little guy and put him outside.

Where he belongs.

Year 2 - Day 284 - October 12

Duclaw night! This is a picture taken in terrible light, but the glass tonight is awesome. It's really thick and heavy - pretty much like a goblet. The beer was aged in whiskey barrels or something along those lines, and it certainly smelled like it. Sometimes I wish I could like beer (or wine for that matter!), but really, there's no nutritional benefits so I've pretty much given up trying. Give me a Key Lime Pie martini any day over a beer! I was hoping DuClaw would have their fall drink menu back that I didn't get a chance to try last year, but it isn't out yet. They had all kinds of caramel concoctions that sounded super yummy!

Year 2 - Day 283 - October 11

My college students had a big presentation due tonight. I am so excited, because they did a great job! But now, there's all this paperwork...

Year 2 - Day 282 - October 10

I stayed up late this weekend to make thank you cards for all my book fair volunteers. I stole the format from the project we did at stamping this weekend, but had to mix up the colors and patterns so that I could use stuff I already had in my stash. I'm not a huge green fan, but my color wheel put the green and brown together (I think it's old olive and crumb cake) and then I used a pack of DSP with that color scheme.

Year 2 - Day 281 - October 9

There was a manhunt near our town today. When I drove by, the helicopter was hovering over the neighborhood where the bad guys were supposedly on the loose. Crazy!

Many months ago, I was anxiously awaiting this day ... more recently I was dreading it. I was really busy, so it kept my sadness at bay for most of the day, but I was still pretty bummed. I think that's why I was willing to drive to PA to find my coat yesterday. I just needed to chill, drive in the sunshine, and solve the problem of "I want a specific coat and I want it NOW." I guess I should be happy I didn't decide I needed a piece of Tiffany jewelry or a Burberry purse while I was in the fancy mall, too?? Luckily today is also my MIL's birthday, so that gave me a reason to enjoy the day as well.

Year 2 - Day 280 - October 8

For a very long time, I have wanted a North Face winter coat. Last year seemed like it was really going to be the year it happened, but everyone was out of the good colors in my size. This year I decided to jump before winter gets here. Problem? All the coats at stores near us were not colors I wanted. A weird green, a super bright orange/red, and a white were all I could find. After visiting two Dick's Sporting Goods, a Sports Authority, two Macy's, and a random sports store in the mall, I needed to dig deeper. The internet told me to go to either Tyson's or King of Prussia because they had North Face stores. Off I went, and finally, I walked out of a store with a North Face coat. Silly? Probably. But I have 2 jobs and work my butt off, so if I want to buy a coat that I'll keep for a long time, then I'm going to do it!

P.S. I'm sure I just ensured 10 warm winters in a row with no snow. You're welcome, Baltimore. :)

Once upon a time, (fall 2000 & spring 2001) I saw bedroom set at Macy's. It was Tommy Hilfiger brand and looked just like the flowered pattern you see above. (Not those stripes though.) It was super expensive, since it was Tommy at Macy's, so I didn't buy it. Over the next few years, the pieces were retired from the Macy's collection and showed up at TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and other stores in that genre. I started with the comforter and (sort of) matching sheets from Kmart. Then my mom found the sheets and a couple shams. One day I came across the pleated valances. It was a lovely set. Then, I got married. We got a new bed and flowers weren't really on the top of our list for a bedroom set. The Tommy set got relegated to guest room status. So that was a really long way of saying "WOAH-LOOK AT THE PILLOW I SAW IN MACY'S TODAY!" Unfortunately it wasn't on sale like all the other Tommy patterns so I couldn't justify buying it, but it was a random fun find. :)