But I just never sat down to write. To document. To release all the thoughts that consume me on a daily basis.

I'm still reading blogs on a daily basis, even though some of my favorites have moved on. I enjoy the daily peek into other's lives, the crafts, the recipes, the life hacks, the pretty pictures, the success stories, the struggles...I love it all.

And I want to contribute again.

Helene's blog has really re-awakened the blogging spirit in me. While I don't quite think I'm going/ready to quit my job to blog, I definitely feel ready to post semi-regularly and update things around here. I slapped together a new layout today. Things were looking quite dated. Now I have clean, fresh, slate with some new fancy tools to play with.

Overall, it feels exciting again. Could be the new year on the horizon or just the need to feel heard.

Hope you will stay tuned!

The last time I posted was in February - yeesh. While I may have taken a blog vacation, ok, blog coma, that doesn't mean I wasn't thinking about writing and this little space of mine. As I logged on to Bloglovin' each day to read about other's lives and happenings I was reminded about my own piece of the web where I should be sharing but I just wasn't interested in writing about my life for awhile. Chalk it up to being busy at school, arthritis draining the daylight out of me, or whatever excuse I want to insert here - I just didn't feel like it.

But now?

School's ending in 5 days and I'm not working summer school.

I'm ready to lay by the pool, read books, workout, eat better, blog more, and just be happy for 8 continuous weeks.

I think I'm ready.

Oh yeah. Definitely.

5 years ago today I started this blog of mine. I really had no specific intentions when I started, just thought it looked like fun and wanted to join in.

It is neat to see how much has changed in the past five years - new jobs, new house, weddings, babies, vacations, and fun with family and friends.



And I can't forget the blog friends I've made - the community of blogging is definitely something I enjoy a lot more than I thought I would. The realization that a few people stop by here and read what's going on is still an odd thought to me but I'm glad for nonetheless.


There were also a few blog bonuses this year too - still can't believe I have a Sleep Number bed, fo' free!


Here's to another year of good times on the blog, cheers!

The last Friday of summer vacation.

I'm not so sure that it really something to celebrate. Another summer in the books. Life just keeps moving faster and faster.

The good thing is, I'm enjoying it. :)

Linking up with Lauren for High Five for Friday

Great things about my week:

1.Got all of my paperwork submitted just in time for my pay raise to go in effect for our first paycheck of the school year. Thank goodness for an understanding HR department!

2. I really do enjoy the weeks before school because I am so productive. There is so much to do that I have no choice but to be a machine and just knock stuff out.

Case in point: my lamination is finished, cut out, and on the walls. My classroom is just about ready to go which isn't usually the case at this point of the summer.

3.The boyfriend and I enjoyed a 70 degree Saturday evening with dinner and drinks on the patio at one of our fave neighborhood restaurants.

4. And then met up with one of my favorite gals from work and her boyfriend at one of STL's many breweries. It was a great night!

Yep, wearing a jacket in July. Unheard of in STL!

5. Spent my Thursday with some gorgeous Springfield ladies in town for the Maroon 5/Kelly Clarkson concert. We went to Cheesecake Factory, shopped, and got to check out the new West Elm - which is full of photo ops, like this one at the front of the store....

So glad Danavee, Andrea, and the bunch didn't mind me tagging along.

All in all not too shabby of a last week before heading back to work. I'm spending the day locked in my classroom...I'm not leaving until it is ready for the kids to walk into. 

Have a great weekend!

This past weekend I traveled to Springfield, MO to visit my little sister at college. I haven't been to Springfield in about 15 years so I was definitely surprised at how big it was...had no idea it was the third largest city in the state. Who knew?

We spent Saturday and Sunday bumming around town, bowling, and eating juuuuust about everything in sight.

Thanks to Instagram, my Springfield blog buddies, Danavee and Andrea,  were alerted to my presence in their hometown.


After talking about how neat it would be to meet, we decided to ACTUALLY MEET! Squeeee!

Immediately after deciding to meet, I got very nervous. I started think to myself, it may seem just a little crazy to meet two gals that I've only ever conversed with over the interwebs. But I'm real glad I drove myself downtown and met them because it was super fun!


We talked about everything from our lovely careers as teachers, summer plans to trek to St. Louis, and just about everything in between, the conversation was casual and breezy. Total fun.

Have you ever met a blog friend in person? Was it a success or total horror story? I'm glad that Danavee and Andrea weren't psychopaths! Haha!