It's a Random Post

I'm a bad blogger. Let's just be honest and go ahead and admit it. You know it, I know it, we all know it. Lately life has become very busy and blogging has taken a back seat. I am going to cut myself a little slack because I do have a very legit excuse for my recent absence. I recently got a little something I like to call a "big girl job", which has kept me very busy. However, since this is such an exciting time in my life I feel like it is much more important to blog about whats going on now. I haven't been doing the best job at that, but I will try to do better.

Moving on, I want to do a quick recap of what I've been doing while I was away from bloggy world....

1. This summer has been filled with lots and lots of snow cones. We seriously have the best snow cone shop in my beloved small town. When I say the best, I seriously mean it. It is so good that I will wait in line for twenty minutes in the 100 degree southern heat.

2. I feel like I go to Wal-Mart like a thousand times a week now days. Every time I work in my classroom I discover that I am missing something that I need. This tends to happen when I've been to the store the day before. Oy! The last time I was in Wal-Mart they were putting up the back to school displays. :)

3. Fourth of July! What better way to celebrate than with a few close friends and family in the grove. It was beautiful! The firework display never lets me down. Hotty Toddy!

4. A few days after the fourth I had to go to the doctor. Boo! Although I enjoyed my time in the grove, my allergies did not. Stupid allergies and sinuses.

5. My classroom is coming together, finally. I have been working in it a lot lately and it is almost complete. I am planning on finishing it up tomorrow. Maybe I will upload some pics of the finished product. Cleaning these built-in's was an absolute pain. Can you find the Windex bottle in this picture? If you can then 1,000 points to you. I spent the whole day looking for it that day. Only to come home and show my mama the picture and then notice it. That's just the way my life goes right now.

6. I finally finished redecorating my room. This project only took me a month and a half. When I made the decision to move home after graduation, I knew that major work needed to be done to my bedroom. Since I moved out it had become a bit of a catch all. I basically moved everything out and got new furniture. That was a process. My granddaddy had a beautiful waterfall chest he gave me. I took it to a lady who painted it for me to match my desk and I think it looks perfect.

7. Lucy has been very helpful around the house lately. See how she helped mommy fold the laundry. I love her so much, but she is a mess.

Well, I think that covers most everything. I will try to do a better job. Promise. Why do I feel like I've said this before?

Life is Busy!

Lately I feel like I am constantly on the go. Summer is supposed to be about relaxation and rejuvenation. Unfortunately, when you're a first year teacher, the summer before school starts in all about planning, planning, and more planning. This summer has defiantly not been relaxing for me. The first part of my summer was spent worrying and obsessing about finding a job. I was stressed to the max to say the least. Now it seems that the rest of my summer will be spent decorating my classroom, moving out of my apartment, and driving back between Oxford and home quite often.

I wish I could be more like this little girl....

She has no problem enjoying her days! :)

Yesterday I moved the majority of my things out of my apartment. I will still have to come back one more time to get the rest of it, but we made a good dent in it.

Thanks to my mama for helping me out! I really don't know how I would make through this summer with out her. Or the next year for that matter.

This pile of clothes did not make the cut to come back home with me. Any one interested in looking through them? There are a few cute things I have out grown and tons of t-shirts. Why in the world did I have on to all of these clothes for so long?

Huge pile of hangers left over....

After all my clothes were out

They all fit in the trunk. Talk about junk in the trunk. Haha.

I am so excited about the surprise I received this morning. Someone cared about me enough to buy me a sewing machine! Thanks mama!

Usually I don't watch instructional dvds that come with things, but since I really don't have a clue what I am doing I decided it would be a good idea to watch this one. Actually, it was very informative and I learned a lot.

I practiced different stitches on some old fabric I found around the house.

Well, time to get off here and get ready to head to Oxford for the night! Can't wait to spend some much needed time with my Shira Lani!!

Sewing and Serenades

Before I begin discussing the main purpose of this blog, I have a BIG announcement to make!!!

I finally have a JOB! Guess who is a new 4th grade Math and Science teacher.

If you guessed me then you are correct my friend. I was so excited to go work in my classroom Wednesday. I worked for about six hours and I made some very good progress if I do say so myself.

Before:

After:

It's a work in progress so don't judge me yet. :)

Here are a few pictures of some cute things I have made for my room. Don't start thinking I'm creative or anything. All these ideas came from Pinterest. If you don't know what that is you should go check it out. I highly recommend it!

Now that I have shared my good news with all of you, let's discuss the topic at hand.

I have the greatest Grandparents ever! Just saying...

When I found this fabric, I knew exactly who to call about sewing it into curtains for my classroom for me!

Tonight after supper my Mama and I made the twenty minute drive down the road to my Grandparent's house in the tiny community of Randolph. Some of my fondest memories from my childhood took place at their house. It makes my heart smile just thinking about them.

I decided I wanted to give sewing a try and I found a great teacher to help me. She was very concerned that I did not already know how to operate a sewing machine. She couldn't understand why I didn't learn this in home economics. I politely explained to her that we don't have that anymore. Sadly, those classes have been replaced with classes such as computer concepts. Of course, she did not approve of this.

She let me do the bottom hem and then she said, "Haley do you want to get this done or do you want to keep playing around". Needless to say, she took over the sewing for the rest of the night and I became the observer. Side note: I think I will purchase a sewing machine. It would be a very good hobby. Just call me Suzy Homemaker. Not.

Grandaddy decided to serenade us while we worked. I know I'm biased, but he has the most amazing voice in the world. It brings tears to my eyes every time I hear him sing. I really wish I had received some of his singing abilities. Oh well, we can't all be beautiful singers.

I can't wait to hang these beautiful curtains in my room! What sweet memories they will bring back to me.

I'm in love with Steve!!

I have a confession to make. I have sort of started a very expensive collection. I have been adding to it over the years, but it's becoming a serious problem. I collect Steve Madden shoes. They are just so fabulous. No other shoes can compare to them. I love Steve!!

Today my collection grew when I took a quick trip to the mall. Of course while there I had to visit the shoe department and look at all the pretty new Steves. Look what I found.

Yes, I brought them all home with me and yes I am aware I have a problem. My name is Haley and I admit I am addicted to buying Steve Madden shoes.

Worst Day Ever...and it's only 2:00

I believe the title says it all. I really don't know what the deal is today but apparently, I have been cursed. I am really? Really?

Today started off on a good enough note. I relaxed in bed this morning and watched some t.v. Basically, I was a bum. Good thing I got that much needed rest to prepare me for what was about to happen next. My sweet, beloved dog Lucy decided she wanted to throw up and decided to do it all over my new white bedding. To say that I was not happy would be a major understatement. Livid would be a better word to describe it.

I immediately took the comforter off my bed and ran to the washer. Problem is my comforter is freaking ginormous and did not want to go into the washer. Well, I did the opposite of what the little sign on the washer advised and stuffed it all in there. I really hope I didn't break the washer. Then came the problem of getting it into the dryer. As of right now it is in the dryer and tumbling around. I will let you know if I catch the house on fire. I keep opening the lid and checking on it periodically. All I see is a ruined, lumpy comforter. Very sad day!

All of this thanks to this sweet little girl right here...Thanks Lucy! You sure keep my life interesting.

This face has "Who Me?" written all over it!

Fill In the Blank Friday...

Well ladies and gentlemen, that is if I have any gentlemen readers, it's Friday so it's time for Fill in the Blank Friday with Lauren!

Okay, okay, in all actuality it is a Thursday, but who cares. I will be at a yard sale all day tomorrow so I had to do this ahead of time.

Let's get to it!

1. This weekend I'm going to be spending a lot of time with Willie's family from out of town and I can't wait to see them! I have missed them way too much .

2. My last vacation was a few weeks ago. We went to Orange Beach, AL and it was so wonderful. I am already missing the beach. Mississippi heat would make anyone long to be on the beach :) .

3. My next vacation will be ? I don't have anymore vacations lined up for the summer. I would love another get away before the end of summer though.

4. My favorite way to relax is with my sweet Lucy cuddled up next to me and a good book in my hand .

5. When vacationing one should always take lots of pictures. Actually, this is my motto for everyday of your life. I love having pictures to look back on .

6. When vacationing one should never wear a fanny pack. Gross .

7. The best part about a vacation is being able to relax and enjoy life. We sometimes forget to slow down and enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Vacations have a way of forcing you to .

I Miss You...

Today marks the sixth anniversary of my cousins death.

My hero, Lance Cpl. Marc Lucas Tucker was killed in action in Iraq on June 8, 2005.

I can not begin to tell you how much I miss him.

He was a joy to be around. He had a way of lighting up a room. I miss his smile most of all.

Lucas taught me several things. The most important was also the final lesson I learned.

Simply put, life is short. We aren't promised tomorrow, so we should live each day to the fullest.

My Marine. My hero.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

The sacrifice you gave for this county, for my freedom, can never be repaid.

Freedom is not free.

I love you!