Perspective

Hello world.

I was going to post about how I picked a date (July 12) and how I have my wedding ceremony and reception locations picked (church I grew up in and this beautiful hotel down at the beach).

I was  going to post about how even though today was Halloween, my kids were and are pretty fantastic.

I was  going to post that my mother is driving me crazy with wedding planning and it's only been a week.

I was going to go into all that detail. Then I read something that just put everything in perspective. Something that reminds me that life is precious and to be cherished.

A teacher from my old school posted on her Facebook that a student who I knew last year fairly well (she was in my closest teammate's class) has been put into hospice. This student is a beautiful little girl and really smart. She was diagnosed last year T-cell non-Hodgkins lymphoma. She responded well to treatment last year.

Upon seeing that status, I immediately texted my closest teammate. She quickly responded that the little girl's cancer returned in July. It keeps spreading and her body is not responding to treatments. Doctors have recommended that she be put in hospice but her parents are still searching for other options. My friend told she has been crying since she found it this afternoon at work.

It breaks my heat. I literally sat in the car at the Target parking lot and cried. And prayed. I prayed that some miracle happen so that this little girl lives.

So if you believe in prayer, please send one up for this beautiful soul. And if you don't, do you mind sending some positive thoughts her way? And some to my old school. It is a small school where all the kids know each other and all the teachers know the kids.

I'll fill you in on the frou frou stuff some other time.

It started the same

as any other weekend. J and I went to dinner with my vice principal and her family. Btw her daughter Avery is the cutest five year old I have ever met! Went to the fall festival. Got some fro-yo. You know. Perfectly normal Friday night stuff.

Fast forward to 11 p.m. The following words come out of J's mouth: "We need to talk."

I think: We need to talk. About what?
J: Are you happy?
Me: Of course. Why? Where are you going with this?
J: ::dead silence::
Me: What's wrong? Talk to me. Are you breaking up with me???
J: I don't know how to do this. (pulls out an ivory box and opens it) Do you want to marry me? I know I'm supposed to gush about you but this is so much harder than it looks in the movies!
Me: YES!

I'm engaged. It's completely surreal. J and I drove up to Savannah and told his family. Their reactions? Priceless! Telling my friends? So much fun.

I want to gush about it more, but my tummy hurts. So I'll just leave you a picture of my pretty ring.

Boy did good. Really REALLY good!

Linking up with Sami's Shenanigans for Weekend Update!

Dressing outside the box.

When it comes to my clothing, I consider my style classic with a touch of whimsy. (I actually took a quiz one day and that's what i came up with!) I don't tend to wear anything super trendy, besides statement necklaces.

So today

Slowly feeling more normal

I still sound weird (as one of my firsties put it, Ms. Albino why do you sound squeaky?) but I can breathe through my nose! Progress!

My immune system used to be decent, then I went off to college.
Like clockwork, I got sick every finals week. Then I became a teacher, and BAM! Immune system down! But I finally built up a little defense. Apparently starting at a new school means dealing with being sick again.  Maybe my body needs to get used to my new school germs? That'd be an interesting research project... which school's germs are worse? School A or School B?

 

I once heard that teaching is the number one job when it comes to how frequently you are sick. Well duh! I'm in a classroom all day with children who just cough and sneeze all over the place. And who's idea of washing hands is sprinkling some water and that's it!

So anyone out there have any sure fire cold killing rememdies? I don't have a fever and my nose is pretty stuffy. Plus I sound "squeaky" (haha. makes me laugh every time). I'd really appreciate it! Off to see if I can sleep WITHOUT waking up at 3 a.m.

I don't feel so good...

I wish I was one of those people who catches a cold, but once they pop some Dayquil or Nywuil, they're back to their feet. You know, like the people in those medicine commercials.

But alas, I am not one of those people. I am one of those people whose body tricks it into thinking the cold is over (hence why I went to Islands of Adventure with my uncle and brother yesterday) but then it just comes back full force.

I know this is my body's way of telling me to slow down. I've been going NON STOP since school started. I haven't been eating right and the only time I've worked out is when I've met up with my trainer Trey. I need to get back on the wagon.

But even though I'm sick, I can't help but think of all the things I have to get done today. Lesson plans, sub plans, grade level newsletter. Laundry. I need to mail the package for my giveaway winner (Congrats Kari!) as well mail a birthday card. My to do list is never ending.

I think I'm just going to take some more cold medicine, eat some rice and beans and crawl back in to bed. I really hope I feel better tomorrow.

Oof.

Oh man. I'm in pain. Why? Because I worked out with my trainer Trey yesterday and he kicked my you know what.

I had to do burpees and these woodchops and these side bends. I'm totally feeling it today. I'm still really glad I went because it has really kick started me back into this whole eat healthy work out thing. Which I was doing before Hurricane School hit. :)

I woke up ridiculously early this morning and spent sometime perusing my workout motivation board on Pinterest. Here are a few of my favorites:

Source: letsmakeahealthiertomorrow.tumblr.com via Nilda on Pinterest

Source: fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net via Nilda on Pinterest

Source: fromfatty2fit.tumblr.com via Nilda on Pinterest

I really believe in all of them. I definitely felt good yesterday, even as I was wincing in pain. How do you motivate yourself?

PS. Don't forget to enter my 100 follower giveaway! It ends tomorrow!

You know you want to win!

Here it is! My giveaway for hitting 100 followers. I've decided to go with a my favorites theme. :)

100 Follower Giveaway by nilda-albino featuring essie

This time of year is when I actually start going to Starbucks a bit more frequently. Why? A) I'm in dire need of caffeine (hello, first grade teacher here) and B) I can actually drink a whole hot beverage. One of my closest friends from college was a barista and she said one of the things she hated most was the person who ordered a Frappuccino during the A.M. rush. It's always stuck in my head since, so I don't go to Starbucks before work unless it's to order something hot. LOL.

I have a slight obsession with any teal/turquoise. Look in my closet! So I'm including two of my favorite Essie colors: Turquoise and Caicos and Trophy Wife! I'm actually going to wear Trophy Wife today. :)

Finally, I love all fall scents. So I'll be sending the winner two mini candles from Bath and Body Works. I just bought these two the other day for my mom and myself and we love them. Gives us some fall, even if the weather outside won't cooperate!

So go on! Enter! What ya waiting for???




a Rafflecopter giveaway

Whoops!

I have NO idea where my mind is lately. I'm all over the place. I keep forgetting about meetings and I completely forgot to share what I got in my Fall Swap!

 

I was paired with Tiffany over at My Smile Saga. Tiffany just had jaw surgery (WOW!) and is now recovering from it. Go over and wish her luck on her recovery.

 Tiffany lives in West Virginia, which means she actually gets a real fall. None of this crazy cool one night, blazing hot the next night silliness we have here in Florida. She sent me some really great stuff:

• Caramel Apple Pops: The ironic thing, is that the day before I received the package, I had talked about these with J. He never remembered getting any while trick or treating. Being the nice girlfriend that I am, I shared the bag with him. He's taken one to work almost everyday!
• Halloween socks: I will be rocking these babies to school the week of Halloween. I will not wear a silly Halloween teacher sweater, but I will wear some fun socks!
• Pumpkin butter: I love that she sent something made in West Virginia. I'm not the biggest pumpkin fan but this was actually pretty good. J loves pumpkin, so he was excited when I decided to leave it at his house. 
• Scarf: I'm obsessed with scarves. Tiffany knew to send me a lightweight one which is perfect because those are the only kinds of scarves I can wear here in Florida. I love the colors in the scarf and really wish the temperature would go down already so I can wear it!
• Football pin: Tiffany shares my love of football, so she sent me this pretty sparkly football pin. I'm planning on wearing it on my lanyard at school. :)

Like I said, awesome stuff right? I love doing swaps because it's just one more way to meet all the great people in this blog world.

Have you gotten anything neat in swaps lately?

Celebrate!

I broke a hundred followers last week! I wanted to wait to see if anyone stopped following me after the giveaway I did over at Lattes and Love. No one has so far, so this little blog is currently at 123 followers.

Mind-blowing that even one person wants to read what I write. I don't find my self particularly funny or intriguing at all. I just do some fun link ups and write about my life. Glad to know people are liking what they are reading.

Which leads to my name change. I'm getting a decent bonus tomorrow (woo!). I'll ignore the fact that it means NO raise for the next few years. I'm going to take some of that money and pay for my own blog design. I want something that's totally mine you know?  I've been wanting a blog name that reflects me more (besides, I feel like my current name would be a fun one for a fashion blog, which I am not!) So I decided on Entirely My Own. It stems from this awesome quote:

Source: wanelo.com via Michele on Pinterest

It's always been one of my favorite quotes from Harry Potter. I've always felt the same thing about life. You have to live life in a way that's your own. In a way that fits who you are. You can't live life always wanting what others have. You'll fight a losing battle if you do.

So there you have it. I will be having a giveaway soon to celebrate my 100 follower milestone. I hope you'll spread that news once it happens. I'll also keep you posted on when my change will be official.

Off to training today. Is it sad that I'm excited to take a break from my firsties??