Cuz you had a long day.

Tonight, after three days of class, we had our first back-to-school-night and I realized that I hadn't worked full-time for over five months...like, woah.

And, with that, I'm POOPED and ready for bed and a great weekend ahead...after some sleep and a few hours of school tomorrow.
xoxo, natty ♥

2/5 done.

 

xoxo, natty ♥

There it went.

I was doing some work and just looked at the clock; it got late!

In other news...

1. It's supposed to warm up around here later in the week. Tomorrow's supposed to bring some snow flurries.

2. There's a smelly little dog on the couch with me.

3. There's a bit of a vacation on my horizon...yippee!!

4. I heard little girl's heartbeat this morning at my appointment; always a wonderful sound. And nice and strong!

5. There's some trash TV also going on around here {it starts with MT and ends with V} and as enjoyable as it is, it's time to switch off and do some reading.

I hope that you're enjoying the season and staying warm!
xoxo, natty ♥

Nary a flake.

Today's weather yielded neither raindrops nor snowflakes but it did bring some way cool {for us} temperatures...because we're all really interested in weather! Aren't we?

But, colder days always make me feel tense - as though I need to buckle down and that spring better hurry the heck up. It's cold and it's harder to do things outside and holidays are expensive and what joy is there in the deep and dark days of January and February?

But the past few years I've had a desire to not waste these days hoping for the longer ones ahead so maybe in the next few days I can whip up some potential things to value/look forward to/enjoy about this time of year. Off the top of my head right now...I'm not running anymore {thanks bambino/a!} which kind causes me less stress {even though running is an outlet for me}; I'm not worried about getting in my miles/staying in shape/eating as many salads as I can. I think part of my winter woes is that I always need a push to get out to do my run when the temperature is less than 60 degrees. And sometimes, cold weather or not, I feel anxious/stressed if I don't feel like running or feel pressed for the time to fit it in {such a first-world/yuppy problem but hey, they're my feelings}. So now I get more time, don't need to worry about running...let's look for things to enjoy!

I also wonder how much of this "ugh, winter" feeling comes from teaching - as much as I love the profession it's tiring and there are really long and busy days so longer days mean that summer and a break are coming up. I suppose for us in our little home, though, that there is no break in sight, ever, considering the bundle of joy {& nerves} that's coming our way in March. 

There is no point to this post except that maybe I'm coming around to the idea of "leaning in" {thanks Sandberg} to these things that are scary/stressful/whatever.

On that note, I'm off to enjoy the rest of my evening! 
xoxo, natty ♥

Calm.

Next weekend is posed to be a busy one and then the rest of November and December also fall into that category so the past two days Michael and I enjoyed major down time (a.k.a. we are boring and we are OK with that).

Hopefully it leaves us recharged for the work/school week...but do you ever feel like no matter how rested you are on the weekend that the week ahead is still taxing?

Well, rested or not, let's hope this is a good week ahead for all!

xoxo, natty

Wild night!

With some Parks and Rec and trying to finish this book:

I'm having a great Friday night - especially needed after one of longest weeks on record.

Here's to a bit more activity over the long weekend!!!

xoxo, natty ❤

One more day.

I just got home from Back-to-School Night and I'm POOPED...but happy.

And even happier with bed soon to come.

Here's to doing Friday and a long weekend!

xoxo, natty ❤

Day two.

And day three is on the horizon; thus the school year begins and thusly it continues to barrel on {some days faster/slower than others} until eternity aka June.

We're enjoying some sultry weather {nothing like you Minnesota!}, which is fine since I'm taking a few days away from running {more on that later} and I had another nice night, this one with pizza and friends {and their 2 month old squishy baby!}.

Here's to mid-week!

xoxo, natty ❤

P.S. 

I owe an email to few people out there; I haven't forgotten you it's just that zombies got to me but I'll be free from their wrath soon!

Even though.

Even though we don't have a garden, we've been enjoying some beautiful tomatoes from our CSA.

 

Olive oil, salt, and pepper are the best accoutrements for this kind of fresh summer tomatoes, in my opinion.

In other good news this week...

1} I've been commuting for a week and I'm still going back each morning!

2} I get lunch at work; this is something I would like to sing and shout from the rooftop. Very loudly. 

3} I've been running after work at work, or in the neighborhood. Since it takes me almost an hour to get home, and because the couch is oh-so-devious, getting in my miles before I hop in the car is a great idea for me. It's not the same, nor as varied, as going down to the mall and roaming around, but it's still new to me and motivation-wise, I certainly have a bit more before my commute.

4} This week, though busy at work is relatively {compared to last week!} quiet at home, just the way I need it to be the week before classes start.

5} I think we'll have some more tomatoes tomorrow!

What's new and/or good in your neck of the woods? Is it cooling down yet? 

xoxo, natty ♥

Puffy eyes.

I'm predicting that I'll awake with swollen orbs in my face tomorrow. After a long and full week at school, tonight was the back-to-school BBQ, though in true Maryland fashion, it was a massive Old Bay seasoned crab boil. Someone on faculty actually drove out to the eastern shore of Maryland and purchased bushel after bushel for the feast. 

We malleted and picked out crab and had a grand old time.
 
And it was delicious.

But Old Bay, delectable as it is, contains a bunch of sodium and I do not look pretty the morning after a salt binge.

Oh well, it was worth it.

Also, it was weird and a bit sad to not be at my old school's back-to-school BBQ. I missed and miss all those dear faces and places so much but I am truly grateful to be in a large and welcoming community of teachers and learners, all the way out in The Free State.
xoxo, natty ♥

Busy bee.

After a full day of teaching and meetings today, I'm off to do some volunteering and hanging out...Happy Friday!

And Becs, I took this picture for you in a gift shop in Savannah.xoxo, natty ♥

Three days!

Some professional development and work and mushroom melts for dinner: I'm ready for the weekend!!
xoxo, natty ♥

Get me outta this RUT!

I'm in an undesirable holding pattern these days.
In December I got off of my running because I was at home and busy and then I got whatever the he&* it is that made me cough for three straight weeks. And be congested. And ache. And everything else.
Then January was a bit of a cold blur and I had a couple of job interviews. Then I started a new job last week. Then they sent me to Georgia last weekend. And then my body started to remember what it's like to be a teacher, talking and whatnot, on my feet all.work.day.long {just about}.
Mike has been helping a great deal, even though he just began a new semester, but I'm still dragging. 
But I feel gross. I'm not running and on my day off today, I slept. Literally, the nap count surpassed just one which is not something I like to allow unless it's New Year's Day and there's a legitimate excuse {I fell asleep around 10:30 last night, not a bit evening out by any stretch of the imagination}.
So, I'm looking for a bit of accountability. If I get it put down here maybe I'll be more apt to drag my languishing self out of doors for a bit of movement.
Hopefully.
On that note, happy Friday!
xoxo, natty ♥

Guinness says:

Happy Thursday!
In my current gig, Thursday is the new Friday so I'm most certainly feeling the love today.
The little hound joined me on the couch for a power nap before heading to a talk at Mike's school and then a quick dinner.
And now we're home.

Over and out.
xoxo, natty ♥ 

Dazzled.

Y'all, Ive been dazzled.

Y'all.

Savannah, I dare say, is one of my All-Time-Favorite places and I was only there over a long weekend for a work conference; imagine the future trip and visiting possibilities!

These gutter fish {& many other Victorian/Southern embellishments are all over the place in Savannah. The gift shops even sell heavy-duty plastic versions of this guy for you to take home.

 In Other Good News.

1} I made it home safely; something for which I always say a little thanks.
2} It's February!
3} I'm back in education! If you're curious, let me know, I'll fill you in.
4} I'm ready for bed and it's not yet 9 PM; yesterday's travel and such didn't leave me well rested for today and the prospect of my dear old bed is making me downright giddy.
5} There are some more teacher workshops I might be checking out this weekend.

What's new in your neck if the woods Reader? Snow? Sleet? Spanish Moss? 
No matter what, have a fantabulous week!
xoxo, natty ♥

Suh-VAN-uh!

Unexpectedly, I've ended up in Savannah, Georgia, for the weekend.
I've always wanted to visit this city and I'm pleased as punch to be here, though there won't be too much time for lurking around.
However, I did get in several solid hours of checking out some of the many little squares that the city is built around.

Think of a little city block that has a statue or monument in the middle and benches and grass surrounding it and many beautiful tall trees around it all.

And the Spanish moss.

Oh the Spanish moss. 

I'll have a post all about this beautiful place soon enough but I'm still including a few of the pictures I took today.
Have a fantabulous weekend y'all {I ate at The Lady and Sons tonight!!!}.

Aaaaaaaaaand...Go Niners!!!!
xoxo, natty ♥

Good. Great. Grand.

It was kind of a busy afternoon today and the past two hours of quiet time have felt almost like a Friday evening in their relaxing comparison to the pace of earlier in the day/week. But that's alright, let's think some good thoughts.

St. Francis : HELP US NOW.

1} A cinnamon scented broom makes your apartment smell GREAT all the time! 

Who knew?

2} Putting some autumnal ribbon on an un-cut pumpkin {& not carving it...} makes it last  well into Thanksgiving season and extends the decorating power of the average gourd! Maybe I'm envisioning some after-Thanksgiving-metallic silver and gold spray paint to take us through New Year's?

The water in the background is left over from last week's storm preparations, in case you noticed.

3} Fabric strips make me happy!

Gold door accents don't.
But what can you do {note: that's [unfortunately] not a question}.

4} Did these beautiful flowers really bloom HERE just a few months ago?

And how has it turned into THIS so quickly?

Mind you, that Wednesday-to-Thursday transition is potentially snowy.

Seriously - despite how when it's frigid it's hard to get up to run in the morning, the way weather works and the temperature ups and downs of any given year are beautiful things; how amazing that this just happens every single year!

5} We have some family coming here soon and we ourselves are flitting back to Pacific Standard time just.next.month!

What YOU been up to? Are you ready for those, ahem, advertisements on the telly to let up? I had NO idea what watching TV near a swing state in an election year really means. 
Now I do. 
And I approve this blog post.
xoxo, natty ♥

The Cauldron.

I'm a walking commuter now and it's about 1.5 miles each way. I'm certainly enjoying this new lifestyle and I hope that I feel the same way come December and January.
I love seeing so many other people walking to work and scurrying to and from the various metro and bus stations; the district is so BUSY.
My other favorite part of the journey is, as I've come to call it, The Cauldron. The Cauldron resides in the yard of a corner home and I think that they're doing some renovation work. There is a decent amount of other stuff laying around in this yard but this guy really speaks to me; in the middle of it all, there's a cauldron!
I hope that it never leaves.

I worked up the courage to take a picture of it today though it came out a bit blurry. I kind of want to go in and decorate it in autumnal colors.

In other news my mama and I are enjoying a relaxing Friday night which is EXACTLY what I needed considering that Monday night did not provide very many hours of rest and it's been a nasty and losing game of catch-up since then. Happy weekend to you!
xoxo, natty ♥

Curried.

My first Monday on the job; what a wonderful thing!!! I'm entirely serious here; this is a glorious blessing.

Doesn't this look like fun?

A few more highlights of the week...

1} It has cooled down a bit here. While I am a big fan of warm weather, as we all know, this is an exciting development; it's going to be fall! Autumn! I'm getting excited to wear cool-weather clothes, light up some cinnamon-y candles, make SOUP, and carve pumpkins. It's so funny how the onset of a season is SUCH an exciting time for me, even if it's not my favorite time of year. However, I think that fall has hustled its way up there in my appreciation. I may even love it more than summer? Oh no. I just can't play favorites.

2} I whipped up {with some vegetable-chopping-help from my better half} some yummy Thais green curry tonight...from a jar! It was the Trader Joe's situation and I doctored it up a bit with some extra coconut milk but I'm glad to know that we have a new, nice, and easy dinner. 

3} My computer is still under warranty, the local Apple store is two tenths of a mile from the Georgetown G2 bus stop which happens to be the most direct route to and from our apartment and that neighborhood. And I didn't have to wait at the store {by some divine Providence}. #winning

4} The organization that I now work at, much like the school I used to teach at, believes in and fights for a cause that I feel passionately about. How amazing that I get a second chance to be a part of such a movement.

5} So. Many. DVRd. Episodes. Of. Law & Order. SVU.

How has your week started? Are you currently watching some football? Mister Mike and his brother are currently playing tennis and set the DVR to record the tennis on TV so I'm enjoying the fruits of #5 above.

May your Tuesday bring joy and love!
xoxo, natty ♥

First Friday!

It's the first Friday of September. In Catholic elementary school the first Friday of the month always meant First Friday Mass. Today is special to me because it's my first Friday with a job! Since May!
And I'm feeling it, yo. Also known as, I am tired and grateful and excited and HAPPY about things.
I hope that you're feeling some of the same, minus the tired.
Peace. Love. Weekend.
xoxo, natty ♥