Saturday Senses

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A way to capture the spirit of each week…

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tasting :: green machine from dad’s and thai noodle salad from bernardo’s.

hearing ::  the clock ticking – 2 weeks til ruby!

smelling :: the weight room.

seeing :: so much love and kindness and generosity and love.

feeling ::  much more light-hearted than last week. many thoughts/mini meditations on ahimsa (non-violence/kindness) this week helped sway me back to a more optimistic place.

wishing/hoping :: for the next two weeks to be peaceful and productive.

What about you?

What are your senses this Saturday?

Looking back, how was your week?

Leave a comment and tell me all about it. I’d seriously love to hear about your week. Now’s not the time to be shy.

This weekly tradition inspired by Pink of Perfection’s Five Sense Friday.

Don’t forget to click the links!

In Case You Missed It Edition! Volume 35 – Magic, Faith and Pants That Fit, Damnit

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{via}

I’ve found some links to posts that made me laugh, cry, think or at least raise an eyebrow. Please click the links and check out the posts. You may find something that rocks your world too.

Leave me some feedback in the form of comments below on what you liked, what you hated and what you’d like to see more of. I’m here to help you find the best of what is online.

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My Best Of…

It’s Not You, It’s The Clothes – If you read nothing else ever again, please read this post by Sally at Already Pretty. It will change your life. Yes, I’m being dramatic. The message is spot on. Write it on your hand next time you go clothes shopping.

There’s Magic There, If We Make It – Sarah from Pink of Perfection has a serious way with words. I’m so happy she is back from her trip and back posting again. This post made me laugh, tear up and feel motivated to be present in the moment.

On Faith – Amy’s personal post on wanting a spiritual home really hit a nerve with me. I, too, have in the last few years been thinking about taking care of my spiritual health and well-being. I’ve mostly been doing it on the yoga mat, however she may be on to something here. For a little background on my feelings on religion.

40 Hours That Are Critical To Your Health and Well Being – Did I ever tell you all about the one where I was so ridiculously ill-suited for my career I was losing handfuls of hair, had an awesome case of acne and chronic tummy troubles?  It wasn’t pretty, so while I understand changing jobs is truly difficult, in some cases, it is absolutely necessary.

Let’s Start With The ABC’s of It – Jennifer Is A Work In Progress participated in the ABC’s of You. Go check out her post and say hi.

How To Make A Good First Impression – they had me at “Stop talking”. Man, I wish someone would have told me earlier in life that listening is way more important than trying to show how smart I am with my incessant chatter. Good to know…. helped a lot with my own personal new school year resolution from last year. Listening is good.

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That is the In Case You Missed It Edition, folks.

Remember to click the links and leave some comments. This is a conversation, you know.

In Case You Missed Edition Archives -click it to see them all.


Second Chances and Do Overs: Let’s Talk Fitness, Friends.

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Back in the days before I became a Stay-At-Home-Mom/teacher on parental leave/person without a fulltime job or baby – yet – (otherwise known as July), I was talking about making a commitment to regular exercise when I returned to work.

Uh, well, yeah.

I didn’t return to work and then we tore up the walls in the house and hired painters and I decided to rip the ugly carpet out of Ruby’s room without a plan and well, my commitment to fitness disappeared in a frenzy of the furniture-is-in-the-wrong-room-ness.

Can you relate?

In part of my fitness hiatus I’ve been spending a lot of some time on Pinterest. Hello, new eye candy.

Anyway, there are lots of words of wisdom on the internet.

Who knew?

I would like to think of this time as a second chance for fitness. In a lifelong series of second chances. It is my belief humans requiring exercise to be healthy and sane is a design flaw.

Amy over at Just A Titch has been writing about her fitness journey and she’s got some great ideas about food planning, getting hydrated and rethinking your body image.

Here’s what I’ve learned about myself and exercise.

I love it being done. I’m pretty lukewarm/chilly about actually doing it. {is your head nodding?}

I am a social exerciser. If I am by myself, I’m most likely not going or doing.

The weight room fascinates me.  Where are the women folk? I like lifting heavy stuff and feeling strong.

As it turns out, I like walking outside. Especially in the not-hot part of the day when it is light. I think they call it morning.

My gym is awesome because it is remarkably clean and has the best sauna/steam/soak spot. {Justifying the large price tag? Yes, yes I am.}

Now you – What are your fitness secrets?

What do you do?

Where do you do it?

Who do you do it with?

What time of day do you do it?

What motivates you?

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I’m feeling a bit lost in it all these days. Lots of time, lots to do, mostly just running things through my mind.

Please tell me your fitness secrets (or questions/complaints or whatever) in the comments. Let’s start a conversation.

Anyone want to exercise with me?

Images: click for source

Ramona Is My Hero and The One Where I Ask You For Help

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One of the best parts of being a teacher is my daily read aloud. For at least 10 minutes every day I get to connect with my students through what teachers call a “shared book experience” – one which creates a sense of community, fosters a love of the written word and helps my students become better readers through teacher modeling.

We laugh, we cry, we always ask for another chapter…

But enough about them, let’s talk about me. 

I read to my students because I love it. It feels good to share something with them that I love so much. Seeing their little faces light up and watching them lean towards me as they fall into the story sometimes brings tears to my eyes. Everyday during this one special time, I think to myself, I can’t believe they pay me for this.

Often I’ve wondered if anyone else experiences this feeling and yesterday one of my dear friends posted an advertisement for the library looking for volunteers and she claimed she’d “mow people down to have a chance at being a pre-school storytime reader. ”

Exactly.

So how exactly did I develop my love of reading? 

Was it watching my mom and dad read at home?

Honestly I can’t remember a time when I didn’t have my nose buried in a book.

Growing up, I was obsessed with Ramona Quimby. During my second and third grade years my teacher, Mrs. Meloncon {love her!}, encouraged us to read for pleasure and she read out loud to us every day. We’d crowd on floor around her feet {seeing, of course, who could be closest} and quiet down and listen carefully.

Was it her who introduced us to this naughty little girl and all the deliciousness of a good book?

My best friends, Vicki and Karla, and I would race to the library each week trying to get our hands on Ramona’s latest adventures around her Northeast Klickitat Street neighborhood in Portland, Oregon. We traded books back and forth and wiped the public library shelves clean. It would seem, we couldn’t get enough.

Ramona the Pest, Beezus and Ramona, Ramona The Brave, Ramona and Her Father… always with the likable little pesky sister. Oh wait! Maybe that’s why we loved Ramona! We saw ourselves in her. Little girls trying to follow our inner voices while sometimes getting our feelings hurt and sometimes hurting other people’s feelings. Making mistakes and sometimes getting into trouble.

I love Ramona to this day. A couple of Halloween’s ago, I even dressed as Ramona and all the women at the party I attended that night told me about their deep love of the sometimes trouble-maker, Ramona.

So dear readers, this year I am without a class to read aloud to. This year I will be reading to my baby girl, Ruby. It’s my sincerest hope I am able to pass on my love of reading to our new daughter.

Do you read to your kids/students? Do you have any tips to share for reading with babies? Any favorite books?

ABC’s of Me

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A bit about me which I hope inspires a bit about you.

Thanks to Frugal Babe for the idea!

The Teacher Gets Alphabetized

A – Age: 41

B – Bed Size: Queen

C – Chore I Dislike:

Work – grading homework, so I don’t. Check it and chuck it is my motto.

Home – dishes.

D – Dog: – I really, really like other people’s dogs.

E – Essential start to my day: Social media

F – Favorite color: – All shades of blue.

G – Gold or Silver? White Gold or silver.

H – Height: 5’4″

I – Instruments played: violin, flute and recorder – all in elementary school with limited success. Daily practice? Hahahaha.

J – Job Title: Elementary school teacher (on parental leave), yoga teacher, desk diva, special projects make-happener.

K – Kids: Very, very soon The Ru will be living in our house.

L – Live: In Midtown Sacramento.

M – Money tip I like best: Always have enough money in the bank so you don’t need your next paycheck.

N – Never plan to… sky dive, bungee jump or any other totally optional activity where I may die.

O – Overnight hospital stays: None I can remember.

P – Pet peeves:

Yoga class – a list just for you. Do you do any of these?

Work/school – inconsistency with messages to kids.

Home – hearing someone floss their teeth or hitting their teeth on the silverware.

Q – Quote from a movie: “No Dan, we were bowling partners.” Demi Moore’s character Debbie in About Last Night.

R – Righty or Lefty? Righty.

S – Siblings: Brothers – all older.

T – Time I wake up: Earlier than I would like most of the time. I’ve heard a rumor babies totally help with sleep.

U – Underwear: Yes.

V – Vegetables I don’t like: radishes, green bell peppers (let those things ripen people!), lettuce. Ok, lettuce is more of a ‘why bother’ than a dislike, but it bugs me. I totally eat it when I go out, but not at home.

W – What makes me run late:  the internet (no online mobile to go for me), unexpected traffic jams.

X – X-rays I’ve had: teeth, shoulder, feet.

Y – Yummy food I make: Recipes!

Z – Zoo animals I like: The big cats – lions, tigers, panthers, oh my! Don’t get me wrong, zoos are less animal prison-ish than in the past, but still weird.

What are the ABCs of you?

If you have a blog, please post and link back here.

If not, leave them in the comments.

Saturday Senses

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A way to capture the spirit of each week…

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tasting :: nectarines and blackberries with vanilla soy yogurt.

hearing ::  “three weeks from tonight we leave for taiwan”.

smelling :: not a whole lot this week. tiny cold.

seeing :: a crib in my house (!).

feeling ::  excited we’re so close to meeting ruby. thrilled for our friends who had been waiting for 4 years- they were matched with a baby this week(!!!!)

sad/disheartened. three acts of gun violence in as many weeks. very close to home.

wishing/hoping :: people realize guns are not the answer to any question.

What about you?

What are your senses this Saturday?

Looking back, how was your week?

Leave a comment and tell me all about it. I’d seriously love to hear about your week. Now’s not the time to be shy.

This weekly tradition inspired by Pink of Perfection’s Five Sense Friday.

Don’t forget to click the links!

Saturday Senses

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A way to capture the spirit of each week…

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tasting :: quinoa salads.

hearing ::  podcasts a plenty. thanks, npr.

smelling :: new floor tiles.

seeing :: ruby’s room coming together.

feeling ::  tired.

procrastination + perfectionism + manual labor = hard work.

wishing/hoping :: to see all the resting yogis in sacramento on sunday afternoon for a snooze. will you be there?

What about you?

What are your senses this Saturday?

Looking back, how was your week?

Leave a comment and tell me all about it. I’d seriously love to hear about your week. Now’s not the time to be shy.

This weekly tradition inspired by Pink of Perfection’s Five Sense Friday.

Don’t forget to click the links!

House Madness: Song of the Day

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{click the image for more information on the band}

If you are reading this in a reader, click on over to see the video.

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Song notes:

1. Oh, Madness. Our house, indeed.

2. I’ve lost count how many times I’ve moved our furniture from room-to-room in the last six weeks. Fingers crossed, I’ll be finished with this nuttiness this weekend.

3. In the meantime, let’s all enjoy this awesome song. {Who knew they were still at it?}

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Have you been through house madness? What did you do to survive?

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{Don’t forget to CLICK the links!}

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For other songs that have gotten stuck in my head recently: Previous Songs

Saturday Senses

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A way to capture the spirit of each week…

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tasting :: dinner at dopo.

hearing ::  OUR TRAVEL DATE to pick up the rubes!

smelling :: fresh paint.

seeing :: the return of my sanity. strangely coinciding with the return of my furniture to the rooms it lives in.

feeling ::  elated!

and yet strangely calm.

sometimes.

hold me.

i may need more 30 minute supported savasanas.

wishing/hoping :: all my teacher friends  a wonderful return to work and for the nesting process to be kinder than the tiny renovation process was.

What about you?

What are your senses this Saturday?

Looking back, how was your week?

Leave a comment and tell me all about it. I’d seriously love to hear about your week. Now’s not the time to be shy.

This weekly tradition inspired by Pink of Perfection’s Five Sense Friday.

Don’t forget to click the links!

Guilty Pleasure: Song of the Day

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{click the image for more information on the band}

If you are reading this in a reader, click on over to see the video.

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Song notes:

1. My girl, @jeaninoakland, introduced me to the genius of the collaborative playlists on Spotify earlier this week.

2. Who knew we’d share so many of the same guilty pleasure songs?

3. If this is wrong, I don’t want to be right.

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What are your guilty pleasure songs?

Are you on Spotify? Who wants to help me make it work?

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{Don’t forget to CLICK the links!}

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For other songs that have gotten stuck in my head recently: Previous Songs

Adoption Update: We’re Picking Up Ruby!

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Exactly six weeks ago, our agency called to say we got first decree.

Today we received our travel dates.

We will finally meet Ruby the first week of October when we travel to Taiwan to pick her up.

We’re obviously over the moon with the news and are excitedly preparing for our trip and Ruby’s arrival.

Thanks for all your love and support!

Saturday Senses

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A way to capture the spirit of each week…

tasting :: vegan chocolate cake with oreo frosting.

hearing ::  my favorite song of ALL TIME played live for the 1st time.

smelling :: renovation dust.

seeing :: the insides of my 100-year-old house.

feeling ::  like a trainwreck. as it turns out, i’m a not a fan of processes which make things really dirty and ugly before they are pretty again.

hold me.

wishing/hoping :: for our house to be magically back to its former cute self and for our ruby travel dates to reveal themselves.

What about you?

What are your senses this Saturday?

Looking back, how was your week?

Leave a comment and tell me all about it. I’d seriously love to hear about your week. Now’s not the time to be shy.

This weekly tradition inspired by Pink of Perfection’s Five Sense Friday.

Don’t forget to click the links!

Fan Letter Payoff: Song of the Day

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{click the image for more information on the band}

If you are reading this in a reader, click on over to see the video.

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Song notes:

1. Last week I posted my Fantasy Setlist for the Old 97’s show at Harlow’s and then tweeted it to Rhett. He, being the nicest guy in rock, said he’d use it.

2. My list didn’t have any songs from Grand Theatre Volume 2 because I hadn’t gotten it yet {been an insanely weird month – not to worry, I picked on up at the show}.

It is AWESOME!

3. This is now my theme song. I’m a Trainwreck.

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Have you ever written a fan letter?

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{Don’t forget to CLICK the links!}

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For other songs that have gotten stuck in my head recently: Previous Songs

In Case You Missed It Edition! Volume 34 {back to school, expectations and enough}

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{via}

I’ve found some links to posts that made me laugh, cry, think or at least raise an eyebrow. Please click the links and check out the posts. You may find something that rocks your world too.

Leave me some feedback in the form of comments below on what you liked, what you hated and what you’d like to see more of. I’m here to help you find the best of what is online.

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So you may have heard, it’s already back to school for a lot of teachers. Many are already setting up classrooms, making new lesson plans and dreaming of how this year will be the best yet. Every August for the last eight years, I’ve  returned to work with big plans to help my students succeed and this year instead I’m turning my house into a home for a baby.

A lot of the same feelings are coming up: excitement, anticipation, anxiety, perfectionism.

In other words, I’ve had lots of opportunities to practice self kindness, managing realistic expectations and the concept of enough.

My Best Of…

….But no one ever bothered to tell the boss that her expectations were so completely unreasonable as to be inhuman….

Havi at the Fluent Self is talking bad bosses, expectations and teams of magic makers. Deadline? Oh Really?  spoke to my inner mean boss who simultaneously wants me to stay completely chill while making my house Martha-worthy. Or if I was in the classroom, making sure every.single.thing was perfect before the first day of school.

No pressure or anything. Ugh.

Let’s all try to keep expectations at least some what realistic, shall we?  

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10 Ways You Can Have Enough Money and Stuff from Be More with Less. Unexpectedly taking a year unpaid from work has my inner ‘enough’ alarm bells sounding on a pretty regular basis these days. This post helped me find some perspective.

How do you define enough?

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Back to School Jitters: Theirs and Yours Some tips for managing the return of school from Jen at Classic Play.

Any other tips to add?

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Socializing with Students: To Brunch or Not to Brunch?  Madeleine brings up the pros, the cons and the dirt on who can get hurt. So useful for teachers of all kinds.

Do you socialize with your students?

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Because I love you:

FREE yoga with my lovely teacher/friend Michelle.

Confessions of a Recovering Flowtard – yet another book I want to read {BOOK CLUB?} – Yoga Bitch: One Woman’s Quest to Conquer Skepticism, Cynicism, and Cigarettes On the Path To Enlightenment.

Do you think this Suzanne is my new BFF? 

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That is the In Case You Missed It Edition, folks.

Remember to click the links and leave some comments. This is a conversation, you know.

In Case You Missed Edition Archives -click it to see them all.


Saturday Senses

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A way to capture the spirit of each week…

tasting :: thai iced tea with coconut milk from home.

hearing ::  lifelong friends laughing.

smelling :: tomato sandwiches.

seeing :: new homes for all of our cds and records.

feeling ::  ready to go pick up ruby already. we’re still waiting for our travel call.

wishing/hoping ::  we get our call soon. the anticipation is killing me.

What about you?

What are your senses this Saturday?

Looking back, how was your week?

Leave a comment and tell me all about it. I’d seriously love to hear about your week. Now’s not the time to be shy.

This weekly tradition inspired by Pink of Perfection’s Five Sense Friday.

Don’t forget to click the links!

It Was Good While It Lasted: Song of the Day

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{click the image for more information on the band}

If you are reading this in a reader, click on over to see the video.

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Song notes:

1. Jenny Lewis is adorable. The first time I saw her as an adult I wondered if she was in Camp Beverly Hills. The answer turned out to be yes. Who knew?

2. Apparently Rilo Kiley broke up recently. Guess I’ll just have to stick to these hits.

3. I am a sucker for a hand clap song.

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What is your favorite song by a group who has since broken up?

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{Don’t forget to CLICK the links!}

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For other songs that have gotten stuck in my head recently:

Previous Songs

Fantasy Set List: Old 97’s at Harlow’s, August 14th

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Much to my surprise, my favorite band, Old 97’s,  is returning to Sacramento this weekend {the second time this summer and second time EVER}. I am ridiculously excited because with the Rubes coming soon, I’m not sure how many shows I’ll be going to in the near future. That being said, Sunday night I plan to rock.

Making a set list every night must be torture when you have so many good songs to choose from, so if I were in charge of the set list this is what it would look like.

39 Greatest Hits According to Me 

Every Night Is Friday Night (Without You)
A State Of Texas
Champaign, Illinois
Let The Whiskey Take The Reins
Please Hold On While The Train Is Moving
No Baby I
My Two Feet
The One
Here’s to the Halcyon
Early Morning
Rollerskate Skinny
King Of All The World
Buick City Complex
Designs On You
W.I.F.E.
Eyes for You – {If I only get one song, this would be it}
Ray Charles
Hands Off
Wish the Worst
St. Ignatius
Jagged
Lonely Holiday
Indefinitely
Nineteen
Valentine
Won’t Be Home
Coahuila
The New Kid
Bloomington
Friends Forever
Salome
Melt Show Streets of Where I’m From
Four Leaf Clover
The Other Shoe
Victoria
W-I-F-E
Bel Air
Timebomb

In your fantasy world if you were in charge of making a set list, who would you make it for and what songs would you include?

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Never seen the Old 97’s? Here is a recent show.

   Who doesn’t love this shirt?

Saturday Senses

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A way to capture the spirit of each week…

tasting :: black bean enchiladas.

hearing ::  the hubs play at chavez park.

smelling :: coppertone sunscreen.

seeing :: old friends on the river.

feeling ::  anxious. i am ready to get our specific travel plans call.

wishing/hoping ::  i could turn off my worry button. it’s been sneaking up on me every night as i try to fall asleep.

What about you?

What are your senses this Saturday?

Looking back, how was your week?

Leave a comment and tell me all about it. I’d seriously love to hear about your week. Now’s not the time to be shy.

This weekly tradition inspired by Pink of Perfection’s Five Sense Friday.

Don’t forget to click the links!

Favorite Duet: Song of the Day

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{click the image for more information on the band}

If you are reading this in a reader, click on over to see the video.

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Song notes:

1. A little solo road trip let me dig deep into my old97s/Rhett Miller catalog. {I’ve been banned from playing them while the hubs is home. He seems to think he’s heard them enough over the years. Whatevs.}

2. Seeing Rhett play this live is a little slice of awesome because of the duet nature of the song. One side of the audience gets the male Rhett and the other gets the female.

There are also crazy internet rumors about women from the audience coming up on stage to sing with him. {What a ridiculously terrifying fantasy/nightmare!}

3. Are you in Sacramento August 14th? If so, maybe we’ll get to see him play this at  Harlow’s.

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What is your favorite duet?

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{Don’t forget to CLICK the links!}

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For other songs that have gotten stuck in my head recently:

Previous Songs

Teacher Goes Back To School Turns Two!

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{via}

To celebrate Teacher Goes Back to School’s 2nd birthday today, Jenna from This is My Happiness suggested I participate in the My 7 Links project.

Before I share my favorites, I’d like to say thank you for all the support and love {and comments} over the past two years. What a joy it has been. I’ve made connections with new friends and deepened connections with old friends. So much love.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

So without further ado..

The most beautiful post:

How honest is too honest?

The most popular post:

Meet Ruby: 32 Months In the Making

The most controversial post:

Yoga Isn’t All Fucking Sunshine and Rainbows

The most helpful post:

It Could Happen To You

The post whose success surprised me:

Profound Moment  — Paying Attention to the Details

A {series of} post{s} I felt didn’t get the attention it deserved:

Yoga Manifestos

The post that I am most proud of:

Pregnant for 21 Months and Counting

So those are my picks, dear readers.

What are your favorite TGBTS posts?

Saturday Senses

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A way to capture the spirit of each week…

tasting :: vegan chocolate chip cookies from trader joe’s.

hearing ::  well wishes from all over the world.

smelling :: the most absolutely horrid bathrooms by the river. stopped me {briefly} in my tracks. gaaaaak!

seeing :: my city from a whole new perspective – hello riverwalk!

feeling ::  so, so, so loved and grateful.

wishing/hoping ::  i can keep this sense of ease and feeling that everything is, in fact, going to be alright. or at least remember it when things all go wrong in my head.

What about you?

What are your senses this Saturday?

Looking back, how was your week?

Leave a comment and tell me all about it. I’d seriously love to hear about your week. Now’s not the time to be shy.

This weekly tradition inspired by Pink of Perfection’s Five Sense Friday.

Don’t forget to click the links!

FREE Restorative Yoga – TODAY at 4:30

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Dear Sacramento Friends,

Surprise!

I’m teaching a bonus yoga nap class today at It’s All Yoga and you are all invited!

It starts at 4:30 and goes until 5:30. Coming to the studio a few minutes early to get set up would be lovely.

No yoga experience needed.

Not sure what I’m talking about when I say “yoga nap“? Click the link to find out all about it.

Leave work early and come on by.

You’ll probably want to sign up online to make sure to reserve your spot.

See you soon!

Love,

The Teacher

I Like It Local: Song of the Day

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{click the image for more information on the band}

If you are reading this in a reader, click on over to see the video.

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SO much can and does change in a week.

Hello, reality!

No back to school shopping or lesson planning for me. Just getting ready for the Rubes.

Song notes:

1. The hubs is a bit sad we’re missing the Forever Goldrush show at Harlow’s August 12th because we’ll be out-of-town, so he’s been playing a lot of FGR this week.

2. I’ve been reminded just how much I loved Damon’s voice and FGR’s debut album Unknown Territory with songs like Songs Bottles Get Broken To, Still In The Water, and Hey Cowboy – how could I not?

3. Now I’m bummed we aren’t in town to see them. Are you in Sacramento the 12th? If so, get over to Harlow’s and have a beer for me.

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Who are your favorite local music makers?

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{Don’t forget to CLICK the links!}

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For other songs that have gotten stuck in my head recently:

Previous Songs

Teacher Travels: deYoung Museum – Masterpieces From The Musee National Picasso, Paris

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What do you get when three teachers travel together?

A whole lot of awesome, that’s what.

Our plan was multifaceted:  Help me with my Summer of Intentionality list, escape the Sacramento heat, enjoy a leisurely lady date and a visit to the deYoung in San Francisco to see the Picasso: Masterpieces From The Musee National Picasso, Paris.

Alicia {4th grade teacher/textile artist/owner of Spirit House Designs}, Amy {high school English teacher/blogger extraordinaire Just a Titch} and I {yoga teacher/school teacher on parental leave – holy crap!} were super excited to see this exhibit and to not have to travel to Paris to do so.

Travel tips from Sacramento to the deYoung Museum {AKA a whole lot less expensive than a trip to Paris!}

1. To make sure you can get into the exhibit, please order your tickets online before you go. $25 for the general public and $15 for members. Or special pricing for others – see link for details.

2. The tickets are time and date stamped so be sure to give yourself plenty of time to get there.

3. Know that even on a midday Tuesday, you’ll be swimming in people. {I was surprised and wondered why everyone wasn’t at work. Forgot about all the tourists!}

4. Need to know how to get to the deYoung? Check out my post on getting to the Academy of Sciences. They are in the same part of Golden Gate Park.

5. Once you finish with the exhibit, be sure to check out the deYoung Cafe for a glass of wine and lunch. We did.

The wine totally helped us get over the weird goat thing Picasso had going on.

Pretty sure the polenta was loaded with dairy. My taste buds were dancing!

Other things to while in San Francisco:

Giggle at the Segway silliness.

Dig your feet into the sand at Ocean Beach {get back on the N-Judah and head all the way down to the beach}.

How do you spend your time in San Francisco?

In Case You Missed It Edition! Volume 33 {kids, creativity, confidence and summer}

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I’ve found some links to posts that made me laugh, cry, think or at least raise an eyebrow. Please click the links and check out the posts. You may find something that rocks your world too.

Leave me some feedback in the form of comments below on what you liked, what you hated and what you’d like to see more of. I’m here to help you find the best of what is online.

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My Best Of…

As a teacher and mom-to-be I am very interested in the topic of classic play for kids. No plugs, no batteries, no bells or whistles – basically how I grew up playing. Being a kid of the 70’s really was all about having a ton of free time to create from our own imagination: games, imaginary play, arts and crafts with the supplies from around the house. Seems quaint now, but there is a lot of value in being able to create something from nothing.

Recently I’ve found a blog called Classic Play run by Jennifer Cooper of Ellie Bellie Kids (thanks to Jennifer of Sophie and Lili!) and I’ve fallen in love with their Creative Families Series. The most current interview is with one of my favorite bloggers, Molly from Charlotte’s Fancy.

Read here how Molly marries family and creativity.

Kyla Roma wrote a wonderful post about Making Space for A Creative Life. I especially loved the part about not needing to quit your day job in order to have a life filled with creativity as much of the blogosphere would lead you to believe. It’s all in the intention and attention. Hallelujah!

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Do you ever find it difficult to say nice things about yourself? I didn’t think I did until Sarah Von from Yes and Yes challenged all of us to discuss All The Ways We’re Adorable.

Need a little confidence boost? Check out Lady Smaggle guest posting on Just A Titch.

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Because it’s summer:

Top 10 Reasons To Practice Outdoor Yoga – Maria from Daily Downdog is absolutely spot on. Read it, then go outside for a little practice yourself.

A perfect salad recipe from Sarah at Pink of Perfection.

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That is the In Case You Missed It Edition, folks.

Remember to click the links and leave some comments. This is a conversation, you know.

In Case You Missed Edition Archives -click it to see them all.


Saturday Senses

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A way to capture the spirit of each week…

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tasting :: popcorn and chocolate chips. ever since i saw this, i’ve been dying for some salty sweet goodness.

hearing ::  the musical stylings of chris isaak

smelling :: the ocean

seeing :: my job being listed took me somewhere totally unexpected – grief. taking this year off is completely my choice {albeit with different timing}, it’s still settling in. not to worry, friends, i know it’s a great thing….just need a little time to adjust to it.

feeling ::  excited {duh, our kid is coming so much sooner than expected AND old 97’s are coming to sacramento again this summer}.

wishing/hoping ::  i don’t get hit by a bus – is there such thing as too much good happening all at once?

What about you?

What are your senses this Saturday?

Looking back, how was your week?

Leave a comment and tell me all about it. I’d seriously love to hear about your week. Now’s not the time to be shy.

This weekly tradition inspired by Pink of Perfection’s Five Sense Friday.

Don’t forget to click the links!

San Francisco, I Love You: Song of the Day

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{click the image for more information on the band}

If you are reading this in a reader, click on over to see the video.

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Um, yeah. So last week I talked about not being ready to go back to work and I am indeed not going back to work. Anyone looking for a teaching job? I’ve seen the temporary job listing for mine.

Hello, reality.

Song notes:

1. So I’ve been spending a lot of time in San Francisco this summer as part of my Summer of Intentionality: To Learn – travel in my own backyard and my oh my she is a beauty. Over the years of living in Sacramento life has gotten so full of every day demands I have been neglecting the Bay Area. Recently I’ve been reminded what a mistake that has been.

2. Speaking of beauty, who else thinks Chris Isaak sold his soul to the devil for his good looks, amazing voice, charm and song writing talent?

3. The album is one of many that were the soundtrack to my falling in love with the hubs era. *swoon*

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Do you know of any other favorite city songs? What records were on your falling in love soundtrack?

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{Don’t forget to CLICK the links!}

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For other songs that have gotten stuck in my head recently:

Previous Songs

Teacher Travels: San Francisco Academy of Sciences

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Summer of Intentionality is really starting to kick into high gear has seriously taken on new meaning since we found out we’ll be traveling abroad in six WEEKS. Local travel and visiting museums sans baby is one of my top priorities this summer and the first really hot day in Sacramento made for an excellent escape to the Academy of Sciences in San Francisco.

Travel tips from Sacramento to the Academy of Sciences (many thanks to Leili for her inspiration and itinerary}:

1. Get to BART after 10am in order to park in the lot. Spots open up at 10 – don’t forget your parking spot number – and to pay $1.00 for your space after you enter the station {you can take it off your BART card if you have enough money on the card}. There is a machine before you get to the platform inside the station.

2. Get off BART at any of the downtown SF stations and take Muni -the N- Judah ($4.00 round trip) and get off at 9th Avenue and follow the signs to Golden Gate Park. It takes about 20 minutes to stroll over.

{Or stay on the train and go visit Ocean Beach. Who knew? Oh San Francisco, I love you even more than I did before.}

3. Bring your Muni card to the ticket counter for a $3.00 discount on your admission fee. {every little bit helps or it almost pays for itself}.

4. We brought a lunch and picnicked in the grove in front of the museum where my sweetheart tried to scare me with tales of The Invasion of the Body Snatchers.

5. Bring a jacket.

And a scarf.

And a hat.

Did I mention we were escaping the heat? 40 degrees “cooler” in SF. Otherwise known as cold.

Or awesome.

Whatevs.

6. Not a museum tip, a post tip: These photos are all straight from my camera since I have not yet mastered the art of photo editing {and I may never}. That being said, please leave really nice comments about their professional quality and the witty captions you can only see if you roll your cursor over the photo.

7. Roll you cursor over the photos and laugh. A lot. At the awesomeness.

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First stop:

Rain forests of the Americas

While I took that photo above, this was happening right behind me. {It’s because he’s so sweet}.

How cool would it be if we all had backsides like this guy?

No, not that guy.

The butterfly!

Next up:

Down to the aquarium.

Did I ever tell you about the dream I had about walking through the Shark Experience tube-thingy where it broke and suddenly I was swimming with sharks? I didn’t? Dude, it was scary.

Guess who took 10,721 pictures of the jelly fish? I shall only share one. You’re welcome.

Not only do I want a pet jelly fish so I can take its picture, I’d really like this guy.

Well, not this guy, but one of his living friends.

Birds of Prey? Yes, please!

Ever since I started teaching third grade and studying city wildlife, I’ve been noticing and appreciating birds and their adaptations.

Have I ever mentioned how much I love third grade science?

It’s true.

What about you? Do you love science? Third grade or otherwise?

Saturday Senses

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A way to capture the spirit of each week…

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tasting :: farmer’s market nectarines and blackberries in vanilla coconut milk

hearing ::  you got first decree!

smelling :: moroccan oil

seeing :: a whole lot of house projects that suddenly need to be finished.

feeling ::  overjoyed. overwhelmed. loved.

wishing/hoping ::  to keep {find} my sense of humor in all the changes coming in the next few weeks. just hug me if you see me crying all of a sudden.

What about you?

What are your senses this Saturday?

Looking back, how was your week?

Leave a comment and tell me all about it. I’d seriously love to hear about your week. Now’s not the time to be shy.

This weekly tradition inspired by Pink of Perfection’s Five Sense Friday.

Don’t forget to click the links!

Adoption Update: We Travel in Six Weeks!

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Much to our amazement, we got THE CALL yesterday morning telling us we’ll be traveling to Taiwan in about six weeks. This wasn’t just surprising because we’ve been on the receiving end of so much bad news surrounding our adoption, it is surprising because we were expecting to travel at the end of the calendar year.

So. Many. Changes.

So. Many. Emotions.

I’m thinking this is our first lesson in parenthood – plans, shmans.

If you’d like to help us prepare for welcoming our girl home, please read the following links. Rosie has done an absolutely brilliant job at getting to the point of what we’ll be needing from you all in the coming months.

Dear Friends And Family

We Are Family

18 Ways to Love The New Family or Family Member In Your Life

In Honor of Leisure Stress: Song of the Day

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{click the image for more information on the band}

If you are reading this in a reader, click on over to see the video.

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Please don’t think for a minute I am in any way, shape, or form ready to go back to work just because I’ve been a little tense on break. Leisure Stress be damned!

Song notes:

1. The page-boy! The jumpsuit! The smoking! Oh Tommy Shaw…

2. The mustache! The curls! The garter belts (!) on the sleeves! Oh Dennis DeYoung…

3. I listened to this song countless times growing up always trying to choreograph the next best dance routine. Early SYTYCD contestant or wannabe Solid Gold Dancer? I’ll let you decide.

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What crazy songs from your childhood have you been compelled to look up on YouTube?

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{Don’t forget to CLICK the links!}

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For other songs that have gotten stuck in my head recently:

Previous Songs

TGBTS Recipe Edition! Almond Butter and Honey Rice Cereal Bars {Guest Post!}

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It’s Wednesday Thursday {because it’s summer and I’m not sure what freakin’ day of the week it is} and that means the Recipe Edition!

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With friends like Vanessa making me treats every time she sees me, who needs new pants? That would be me. In all seriousness though, these are delicious and I enjoyed every sweet bite.

Thank you to Vanessa for taking my new-found allergies {dairy} to heart when thinking about recipes and cooking for me. Always feel the love!

Without further ado, here’s Vanessa!

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It’s been over a decade since I’ve eaten a Rice Krispies treat.  A diagnosis of a corn allergy took them off the table (literally!) since they’re made with marshmallows, which are made with corn syrup.  It’s not exactly a tragedy that an item of junk food has been put on my no-fly list, and it’s not like I ate them often to begin with, but once in a while the craving for that sweet, dense, sticky mess calls my name, and I must answer.

And my answer is this:  Almond Butter and Honey Rice Cereal Bars.  They’re made with just a few simple ingredients, require no baking (a bonus in summer), and might even be considered good for you.  You can easily vary the type of nut butter you use, like peanut or cashew.  I like using roasted and salted seeds in this recipe because they add just a bit of that irresistible salty-sweet quality to the bars.  And don’t limit yourself to just sunflower and pumpkin seeds when there is dried coconut, dried fruit, nuts, and even chocolate chips to consider adding in to the mix.

To help the bars firm up, pop them in the fridge for a half hour or so.  Have a cold glass of milk (cow, nut, or other) handy to complete the experience, or just go ahead and throw a scoop of ice cream on top of one since that’s what you were really wanting to do anyway.

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Almond Butter and Honey Rice Cereal Bars

Ingredients:

1 cup almond butter
1 cup honey
1 teaspoon real vanilla extract
6 cups puffed rice cereal
1/2 cup shelled, roasted, salted sunflower seeds
1/2 cup shelled, roasted, salted pumpkin seeds

Directions:

In a Dutch oven, combine the almond butter, honey, and vanilla over medium-low heat.*  Stir until the mixture is completely combined.  You don’t want the mixture to be hot but just barely warmed so that the ingredients will mix together.

Remove the pot from the stove.  Add in the rice cereal and seeds.  Stir slowly and carefully to mix everything together evenly.  A rubber or silicone spatula is helpful for this.

Dump the mixture into a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish.  Using the back of the rubber spatula or fingertips slightly dampened with cold water, very firmly press the mixture into the pan.

Cut into 18 squares and keep the extras stored for up to a few days in an airtight container.

*If you want to avoid turning on the stove, combine the first three ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl.  Nuke the ingredients at 20-second intervals, stirring in between until the mixture is smooth, taking care not to overheat it.  Pour the mixture and the rest of the ingredients into a large bowl, and continue from there.

Serve.

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Want to see more of Vanessa’s guest recipe posts?

Questions? Comments? Love for V3 or me?

Do you have any recipes or favorite {dairy free} foods to share?

almond butter and honey rice cereal bars


Leisure Stress Defined

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Recently I’ve been plagued with a condition my dear friend has deemed Leisure Stress. It’s a rare condition suffered by those blessed with vast amounts of time away from their jobs: some {childless} teachers, people with wealthy spouses, college students still leaning on mom and dad for their funds.

Every time I think about Leisure Stress, see it, say it, or write it I crack myself up laughing at the complete ridiculousness of it.

Let’s take it apart and see just what it is, shall we?

lei·sure

–noun

1. freedom from the demands of work or duty.

stress

–noun
  1. physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension

Put them together and you’ve got people with a lot of time on their hands doing lots of pleasurable activities stressed out because they’re just.so.busy.

With their Leisure.

Do you ever stress yourself out while on vacation?

Summer of Intentionality Progress Report: To Learn

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Oh friends, this Summer of Intentionality list is proving to be the most difficult. Learning new things is challenging my brain in ways I hadn’t expected. Please send me your tips and advice!

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To Learn: The whole list

Status update:

Weightlifting 101 – my friend and I have a standing date for the gym every week day of this summer. I’ve only taken one day away {first day of my tiny cold}.

Success!

So far we’ve concentrated on the basics: actually going to the gym {make that 2 days away – our first day we ended up at the Fox and Goose for breakfast, so don’t think the getting there is too small a detail}, using the standard weight machines that run the perimeter of the room and this week even venturing into the middle of the room where the more complicated weight machines live.

What I’m learning from this weight room experience is a) I love how it feels to push myself physically b) I’m totally intimidated to be down in that manly space without my girlfriend c) In order to maintain the results and benefits from this I’m going to have to do this every damn day of my life {thanks for the reminder, Amy!}.

The good news is I have a partner in crime who has the same fitness goals and I’ve already started to brain storm ways to keep this daily physical practice going once I return to work. I’m toying with the idea of before work training sessions. Maybe not every day, but who knows?

Any advice on building fitness into your daily schedule?

Status Update:

Knitting Lesson #1

I met with my lovely knitting teacher at Temple and she patiently showed me the ropes and even made a video our lesson. Benefit of working with a technology teacher? I’m thinking so.

What I am learning:  The hard parts of actually remembering to knit a little each day (tie a piece of yarn around my finger?), not totally freaking out about what to do when I mess up and scheduling a follow-up lesson. Lessons a plenty here. Keeping the inner critics chilled out is an exercise in and of itself.

Any ideas on how to get myself to remember to practice? Have I ever mentioned how much I need to practice practicing?

Status Update:

Skype Lesson #1

A webcam has been procured and Skype been added to my computer.

What I am learning: I am so not a fan of learning. I am a fan of already being good at stuff or faking it behind the scenes until I am able to confidently fake it in front of others. Hello, perfectionist monsters!

I think making a connection or two with close friends needs to happen so I can feel more comfortable using the new setup.

Any tips for getting more comfortable with technology? Care to share your embarrassing technology stories to help me feel better?

Status Update:

Photo Editing Lesson #1

Another lesson. Can you tell I’ve been crazy busy lately?

What I am learning: Again with the hard part: practice. It looks like I might have to bust out a daily 15 minute schedule on myself. I didn’t want it to have to come to that, but stuff isn’t getting done without it. Why am I so much like my 3rd graders in this way?

Status Update:

Backyard Traveling – definitely my favorite {most comfortable} part. I’ll be posting later in a little Teacher Travels series.

What I’m learning: I really love going bye-bye. Day trips, museums, visits to the ocean? Love them all. Oh and Northern California looks a lot like Europe this time a year.

What is your favorite Northern California destination?

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The biggest lesson for me in this process is I really, really like starting new projects and I still have trouble with the small doses every day part of practicing new skills. It would seem I really enjoy the grand gesture, big picture, the newness of things and have a seriously underdeveloped practice muscle. Still I have weeks left to go before I return to work, so there are still many opportunities for learning.

Please leave me tips, advice or a progress report about what you’re learning this summer.


Saturday Senses

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A way to capture the spirit of each week…

{via}

tasting :: champagne, watermelon, jameson and way too many joe joe’s {burp!}.

hearing ::  ridiculously funny travel stories from sarah of yes and yes thanks to amy of just a titch.

smelling :: not much due to my tiny summer cold {thanks, dayquil}

seeing :: the ocean!

feeling ::  grateful. so many great people in my life. {looking at you, friend}.

wishing/hoping ::  to keep some perspective about my time off – i had a little case of leisure stress this week.

What about you?

What are your senses this Saturday?

Looking back, how was your week?

Leave a comment and tell me all about it. I’d seriously love to hear about your week. Now’s not the time to be shy.

This weekly tradition inspired by Pink of Perfection’s Five Sense Friday.

Don’t forget to click the links!