Thanksgiving 2013

What a day.
Here's the basics:

Tommy and I went to his aunt Janet's house for Thanksgiving. We arrived around 12:30(ish?) and had a nice time visiting with family we see every month ;)

Big family. Lots of birthdays, hence, a birthday party basically every month that celebrates alllll the people in their family. Usually includes some sort of delicious-but-bad-for-you-food wrapped in newspaper with inappropriate cards for the adults, and real presents for the kids.

There was a ton of turkey involved, and also some other Thanksgiving foods that I appreciate: cranberry sauce, rolls, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, turkey legs, and a corn casserole thing that is SUPER bad for you, but SUPER delicious. Seriously.

There are also these chocolate leaves at everyone's place setting. It's basically tradition that I eat my leaf, take a bite of Tommy's, and then try to make my wrapper look like the chocolate leaf again so that Tommy tries to eat it. Bwahaha.

We stay and chat, check the football games, and then end up having to leave before dessert because we have dessert with Tommy's dad at his parent's house. Anna, Dana, Marvin (Dana's fiance), Tommy, and I all drove back and had cherry and pumpkin pie from Baker's Square (Ugh, yum) and stay a chat a little bit there.

THEN.....Tommy and I drove to McHenry to visit with my aunt, uncle, grandparents, and cousins. We had dessert (yes, again) there- apple and pumpkin pie with plenty of whipped cream. Duh. It was nice to see everyone!

My parents were out of town visiting my mom's family- Grandpa and Uncle Kevin and his family. Yes, Foxy went with.

What else? Oh yea, then Tommy and I went home and had stomach aches from a big dinner and TWO desserts. Heh. So much pie.

I didn't go out Black Friday shopping until 11:30, and I only stayed out until 2:00 a.m. Quite a tame shopping night if you ask me. Without revealing any Christmas presents, here's the score:

 {Woot}

Book Review: Wild

I am a member of Goodreads, which is a website where you can create a profile and record all the books you want to read, or have read. I love it because I no longer have to record by hand the books that I want to read or have read in my journal ;) It also gives me an opportunity to rate books, read other people's opinions on the book, and share my own thoughts about the books that I am reading. If you are a Goodreads member (it's free to join and they have an app for it!) find me and let's chat about books!

I finished Wild last week, and I wanted to share my opinion on it with you. I thought it was a good book. I gave it four stars on Goodreads, and while I am a tough critic when it comes to handing out stars, I did think that this book earned at least four out of five.

I don't normally read autobiographies, or nonfiction texts for that matter, but I actually really enjoyed this one. First of all, Cheryl Strayed is a good writer. I found that I enjoyed her quick wit and her somewhat sarcastic portrayal of her hike on the Pacific Crest Trail. Many people were berating her for even attempting the hike with the proper tools, but without the proper training, but I totally get it. That's life. Many of us attempt to do things (albeit not as crazy as an 1,100 mile solo hike through the mountains) that we do not have the proper training for. LIFE. Who has had the proper training for that? So I commend her for attempting it, and learning how to hike in the process. She tells her story well, and it's interesting to read. It semi-makes me want to go for a hike!

Overall, I think the only thing that I would have changed is towards the end of the book. I feel that most of the book was focused on the trek through California. Which is not necessarily a bad thing, I mean, most of the hike is through California. It's a long ass state, but I felt like after reading all about this torturously humorous journey, we got to the finale of the trip and it was nbd. As you read, you become a part of the journey and I was excited to get to the end point, but it happened so quickly that I felt a little cheated. You may feel differently if you read it. If you do, let me know!

Day 19- Grad School

11/19/13

On Tuesdays, I have grad school. That has been my Tuesday night for about the past 15 months, yes, I have been missing Pretty Little Liars in real time for 15 months :(  lol

As much as I have complained about the work (oh gosh, the work!), the readings (some were not too bad...), or the fact that Tuesdays are the longest days ever, I am actually thankful for grad school.

Most of you are thinking, oh course you are, who doesn't love a pay raise! But it's more than that. I'm not a teacher because I want to make a ton of money. If that were the case, I wouldn't have been a teacher. In fact, I spend a good amount of that money that I make on things for my kids and items for my classroom just because I think they would like it. What teacher doesn't do that??

I'm also not a teacher because I want the summers off. Yes, I get the summers off, but by "off" I mean that I'm not working with students. I still spend a lot of time planning, copying, organizing, re-organizing, and even pinning (lol) for my job. Do I take a few weeks off there to just relax and do nothing all day? Yes, I do, but I also work with twenty 5 and 6 year olds for about 10 months...which is not easy work. I am not saying your work is easier, but it is not working with twenty 5 and 6 year olds, so it is VERY different. My job is basically like being an actor in a boring show that I need to make interesting to 20 kiddos from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Different? I think we can agree on that. Do I deserve a few weeks of rest in the summer? Uh, yea, but don't tell me that I get the summers off, because I don't. I just work differently in the summer time than I do in the Fall, Winter, and Spring.

I'm a teacher because I like helping people learn new things, I like working with children, and I think this work is some of the most important work in the world. I'm a Kindergarten teacher because I like working with little children, the curriculum is super fun to teach, and the growth I see from the beginning of the year to the end of the year is one of the most awesome things I have ever seen. I like to be a part of that on a daily basis, and I like to celebrate that with them at the end of the year.
Also, they are mostly cute and say funny things, so that's a bonus.

Grad school has provided me with the opportunity to learn more about my profession, enhance my teaching of it, and help the kiddos in my class become better learners. I have learned a lot through the reading and work I have done. Has every class been mind blowingly awesome and enlightening? No. This is what I did this week in class:

{Ok, admit it, that's kinda cool}

But I have learned a lot. Mostly, I am thankful that I have the opportunity to be in grad school and better myself professionally. 

And Now: Pictures of my Cat

{Oh, just some of my favorite family times}

Book Review: The Night Circus

I just finished reading The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. Here is the general summary of the book, which can be found here, because why re-invent the wheel:

The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night.

But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway—

And that's not even the whole summary, because putting the whole thing in here would ruin it for you. SO DON'T GO READ IT EVEN THOUGH I CITED IT. I only did that so I wouldn't go to jail, because I'm pretty sure it's not like Orange is the New Black.

The story unfolds in pieces like a puzzle, and I found that I really had to read it and think about it to know what was happening. There were even parts I had to re-read in order to kind of get what was going on (holy cow, re-reading to increase my comprehension of a text! As a teacher, I know my teachers would be so proud!)

It was hard for me to get into in the beginning, then things started to get a little bit more interesting. Once the stories started to come together, I was hooked, but I also seldom walk away from a book once I start it. I did have to abandon The Host about 60 pages in though....ugh.

The ending was, interesting and not altogether predictable for me, so that was nice. Also, if you visualize while you read, and I mean really visualize, then the book is pretty cool.

Overall I would recommend this book for people that are looking for more than just a fluffy read. It is interesting, thoughtful, and confusing at times, so be prepared. If you have read this book and want to chat (I'm always looking for people to talk to about books!) contact me :) I'm SO up for your thoughts

Day 18- Intentional Acts of Kindness

11/18/13

I forgot to tell you this story. It happened about a week ago (I can't exactly remember the date, last weekend maybe?).

If you have been reading this blog, and I know some of you must be because you have said something in passing, or messaged me with kind words :), you might remember my 25th birthday post about my quest to complete 25 intentional acts of kindness on my actual birthday. I didn't actually complete all 25....a stolen phone the night before, a late start, and some unplanned events the day of made it difficult to do all of them. I did, however, complete 9 of them, and had the intent to complete a 10th one, but was unable to follow through on it.

Why might you ask? Well, it is listed as completed Intentional Act of Kindness #8 in this post- The one where I bought a sandwich and a drink for a man that stands on the corner in front of the Walgreens down the street from me.
Here's what I said about it:

   8. Bought a man a sandwich and a drink for lunch at Jewel. I didn't actually get to give it to him 

         though :( There is this man that stands on a corner off of 21 every once in a while with a sign that 

         says "Need a job to pay for gas and food" and it just breaks my heart. Every time I see him, or 

         that corner in general, I send good thoughts for him out in to the universe. So when I saw him on 

         my birthday, I said, "Tommy. We are going to Jewel to get him lunch." and my wonderful 

         husband drove me right away to Jewel. Then, when we pulled up to his corner, he was GONE. I 

         was initially sad that I didn't get to help him, but Tommy said he was probably gone because he 

         had a job for the day, which made me feel a little better. So we both sent out some kind thoughts 

         for him and kept going for the day. 

It turns out that about a week ago, I saw this man again on my way home from the post office. In fact, I normally take the back roads home from the post office, and for some reason, that day I decided to take the main road home. That's when I saw him standing on the corner with his sign: "Need a job to pay for gas and food. Mechanic"

I instantly went to Mariano's, bought a sandwich and a water, and quickly drove over to the Walgreen's parking lot. I was so nervous that he wouldn't be there, and when I pulled up I saw him walking to his car and folding his sign up. I jumped out of my car and practically ran over to him and said, "Excuese me, sir? Hi. How are you?" and he was startled, and said, "I'm fine." So I said, "Well, I have seen you out here a few times and I'm sorry I can't offer you a job, but can I offer you lunch?" He replied, "um, yes, thank you." and took the grocery bag. I didn't really know what else to say, so I asked him if he was from around here. He was not, and said that he only drives up here once in a while to find work. I said, "Ok, well, good luck. I hope you find work soon. Have a good day" and left all awkward. And then he went to his car, sat in the front seat, and started eating his sandwich. And that was that.

Not only am I thankful for a pantry full of food, and the ability to buy the food I both need and want at the grocery store, but I am thankful that I was able to buy food for this man that cannot do that for himself right now. I don't know his circumstances, but that doesn't really matter. I'm just thankful that I had a chance to buy him lunch that day after missing the opportunity on my birthday. 

*P.S.- My phone that got stolen? Well, the police caught the thieves, we had a trail, and they own me $500 that they are supposed to pay over the next 6 months...

Day 17- Thankful for home

11/17/13

Today I am thankful for my home. I have really only had to call three places home before this one, which I feel very lucky about, seeing as how people my age normally have more than that. My husband and I bought a house last year, and we are so thankful everyday that we found a place that we both love and has met many of the "wants" on our home wish list.

With owning a home comes great responsibility, as my husband and I are learning everyday (well, I think he has a better handle on it than I do...). Even though it is hard to take care of everything in a home, and to fix things that become broken and worn out as time goes on, I am very thankful that I have one to take care of. Even on the hot summer days when I stand outside with Tommy and just did 8 hours of yard work and it looks like we did NOTHING. Even on the days when I kill four spiders in a row on my ceiling (ok, ok, when Tommy kills them...). Even on the days when I am in a hurry and the house attacks me, like when I backed out of the garage too quickly and the side of the house decided to take off my side mirror....(House: 1, Amy: 0...but I own you house so I guess I technically win!)

The reason I am thankful for this today is because of the tornado warnings and severe storm warnings that were happening all day. One of my best friends spent a good part of her day in the basement of her new home waiting for the tornado warnings to pass, and it made me think of how lucky we are that we even have a home to give us a safe place to do that if needed. After hearing and seeing the tornado damage that occurred in central Illinois, and the wind damage that occurred throughout the state, I am thankful that the worst thing we had today was severe thunderstorms.

I love this house, with it's crazy amount of yard work and all, and I am so thankful that I live here with a husband that helps me take care of it. I can not wait to see what other chapters of our lives we create in this space. 

Day 16- Lazy Saturdays

11/16/13

Today has been the most lazy Saturday in the world. I am not feeling well, so of course I had a crappy night's sleep. Tommy and I snuggled in bed and watched tv. Then we came downstairs and I made some scrambled eggs and had a grapefruit for breakfast.

I tried drinking this tea that is supposed to make you feel better, but it was AWFUL even when holding my nose and drinking it like a child, so I just put it on the table next to me and pretended I was drinking it...


Then I laid on the couch using Tommy as a pillow and fell asleep for 3 hours because my body was killing me. When I woke up, I felt much better, but poor Tommy was super hungry because he didn't want to move and wake me up and I slept through lunch. He's sweet. So I made him lunch.

Now we are sitting in the family room, watching more tv and relaxing. We have reclining furniture, so you can imagine how lazy we must look to the outside eye..but there's a NCIS marathon on and we are both pretty stoked about it so we're not moving.





Today I am thankful to have lazy Saturdays with my husband. This is the life :)

{Kitty is enjoying a lazy Saturday too}

Day 14- Crock Pot Cooking

11/14/13

I used my crockpot! Woohoo! If you know me, then you know that this is a big deal because I never use it. I wish I did, and everyone I talk to things I'm dumb because it's the easiest thing on the planet to use. So I did it!

Here's what I made: Beef Stroganoff!!

I bought beef chunks (?) at the grocery store, a packet of McCormick's mix, sour cream, and egg noodles. I made it over night, and then put it in the fridge until Tommy got home from work and put it back in the crockpot to warm it up (That's ok right? I mean, I'm still alive, but if you have any advice on this, share with me please!).

So basically, you mix the sauce mix and the water with a whisk. Then you add the beef to the bowl and coat it with the whisked mixture. Then you put it in the crock pot, and cook on low for 8 hours. After, you add 1 cup of sour cream, mix it in, and add it to the cooked egg noodles.

There you go! It was super simple, pretty yummy, and Tommy ate it, which is always a plus. Stephanie was also over for dinner and said it was good, so there you go! I think next time I might add a little more sour cream, but otherwise it was edible (which is my goal).

Two nights ago I made parmesan chicken that Tommy said should be added to the meal rotation. #winningthisweekinthedinnerdepartment

So, it seems silly, but I am thankful for realizing that I semi-enjoy making dinner a few nights a week, and that I have the time to make dinner for my family!

P.S.- while we are on the subject,

This is the Crock Pot I have, and it's not bad. I'm still learning the difference between each setting, but I like that it can travel. Can I bring anyone some Crock Pot food? Because I haven't yet and it's got a cool snapping lid! And, fyi, you have to keep the snaps on the lid to lock it on tight and cook right (lesson learned the hard way...)

{Learning to love this thing}

I went to a party at Wendy's house with this one and I totally want one now:

{Awesome}

I just bought this one from Bed, Bath & Beyond for $19.99 because I love me some warm any-kind-of-dip!

{Yep}

Day 10- Chrissy

11/10/13

Sunday I was thankful for my older sister Chris.

When Katy was in town, we celebrated Chris' birthday! Katy did most of the set up for it, and I bakes a brownie/cake that turned out pretty chocolaty and delicious. Chrissy, Abby, Katy, mom, dad, uncle Larry, grandma, Tommy and I all met up at a Mexican restaurant. Grandma had no idea what to get because she "never eats Mexican food unless it's a tamale- hello" (she says hello at the end of her sentences sometimes, it's cute. But it's like HELL-o, not Hell-O) and they didn't have them on the menu. I ordered her a cheese quesadilla, because she's like Tommy when it comes to Mexican food. I got the nachos, which were seriously tasty. I can't remember what everyone else got, but it seemed that there were no complaints, so it must have been good!

We had dinner, gave Chrissy her bday cards (which were all semi-inappropriate as usual, except for grandma, typical), and enjoyed our food in the middle of some nice family conversation. Then the servers brought out the brownie cake I made will ALL the candles I brought (but I won't tell you how many because I'm not sure I'm allowed to?) and turned out the lights. It was awesome. They also had her wear a pink sombrero and sang happy birthday to her! We got some good pics, and ate some good brownies (thank you, thank you) and I think I might be trusted to make the dessert for our next family gathering...but I might be going too far, since it's Thanksgiving and all...

 {All together}

 {Sisterssss}

 {Abby & Chris}

 {Katy & Chris} 

It was a really good night. It made me think about how thankful I am for family, and more specifically, for me sister Chris.

Chris is 15 years older than me. Most of my memories of her include me asking her if she was a boy because her name was Chris and I knew a boy at school named Chris. Clearly I was not the brightest crayon in the box when I was younger...

These days, I've gotten a tad bit smarter, and have really formed a relationship with my sister Chris that I am happy and proud to have.

She teaches me new things- like how to take care of KittyPants McMewey, and that lunch meat you pick out and have shaved at the deli counter is MUCH BETTER than packaged lunch meat.

She is also pretty smart. Not just street smart, but like, newsy stuff. When I see her, a lot of her sentences start with, "Hey, did you hear about..." and of course, I haven't because I don't know what going on in the world as much as I should, and I end up sharing it with other people like I know what I'm talking about...So technically, she makes me a smarter person!

Chris is also funny. She totally geta her funnyness from our dad. She certainly gives his sense of humor a run for it's money in my opinion. And it's not just funny, but it's clever too, which my husband knows is the kind of humor I appreciate the most.

{Chris & Dad}

We also like the same tv show, but I won't tell you what it is because you'll judge me for it because it's so weird and gross that it's just a little bit interesting to watch...and she (and Abby) are the only ones I watch it with! Oh yea, and there's true blood. We like that one too :) But that's not as embarrassing.

I think my favorite thing about Chrissy though, is her appreciation of what other people would consider weird things. Like, this website. Or this. Or these. It makes Christmas and Birthday shopping waaaaay more fun and challenging, which is super fun, and I get to learn about cool things that exist in the world that I would have otherwise been oblivious too :(

It has taken a long time for our relationship to turn into what it is today. It has not been without it's hardships, and it will stand some trial in the future, but I feel so lucky and thankful that Chris is my older, wiser, and funnier sister. I have learned some important things in life from her, and each time I see her I feel better for have doing so.

I am thankful for my sister Chris, and the relationship we have formed together. Where ever we go in the future, I am glad you are there to cheer me up, and help me out along the way!

Day 15- Bubble Baths

11/15/13

Ok, so I've been fighting a cold for the past few weeks. It started in October, when I lost my voice, went to the doctor, and had Laryngitis. Sweet.

I've had a cough since then, and now my cough is back, my muscles ache, and my skin is uber sensitive. I have also had a headache for two days. Also, I just took two melatonin, so that should help me get a good nights sleep right?

Anyway, I've consulted two medical friends and I think I might be going to the doctor tomorrow, but I will say, I was told to take a bubble bath....and MAN did that help! We have a super deep tub in our guest bathroom, and it might be in the top three favorite things about my house (somewhere ranking next to the fireplace...)

I put in waaaaay too many bubbles, and am super wrinkly, but my body feels a bit better and I am now 100 pages into Wild, which is pretty good. You should read it. So far I totally feel like I could hike from Mexico to Washington (and I semi-want to) because it's that inspiring so far.

I am thankful for being able to take bubble baths after long days like this. So many bubbles. 

#5- See A Waterfall

This is #5 on my 25 Before 25...

This past summer I went on a trip to California to visit my sister Katy and my brother-in-law Buck. While I was there, Katy and I went on a camping trip to Big Basin State Park. We camped under the redwood trees (AWESOME!) and went on a hike.

We hiked up to a waterfall, and I was stoked because it was something I have wanted to see and check off my list! But we got there and it was more of a watertrickle....or waterdrip maybe. Anyway, I tried! Here is the picture of it:

  We climbed across that big log that fell over because it watched Dirty Dancing one too many times.

Day 12- Family

11/12/13  (COOL DATE!!!)

Today, after school, I went to grad school. It lasted for about an hour, and then we left, woohoo! Instead of going home and working on report cards, I went to my parent's house to hang out with them and my sister Katy since it was her last night in Illinois before she goes back to California. If you haven't met Katy yet, click here!

We watched TV waaaay too loud, ate pizza, and hung out in the family room. We reminisced about our adventure in California this past summer, which was fun, and talked until it was time for me to go. We even got a chance to add a profile picture to our contacts in dad's phone. A Tuesday night well spent!

It was nice to hang out with family and just do some ordinary things together. Sometimes the ordinary stuff is the best stuff.

Today I am thankful that I got to spend some time appreciating the ordinary and familiar pieces of life that I sometimes take for granted. 

Oh, and Katy and I tried to take some pictures, but as usual, it took us a few tries...

{This first one wasn't good enough for some reason...}

 {And then I started laughing...}

 {And then she tried to cut me out, but I snuck in...}

 {And it was funny...}

{And I couldn't top laughing...}

{But then I did long enough to take this one...}

The End.

Day 11- Snow

11/11/13

Yes, it is true, I am thankful for snow.

When I tell people I like snow, they mostly respond with, "Really? Come shovel my driveway then!" Or some variation of that.

Snow is cool (no pun intended). It is light but can be heavy, it is fluffy but can be hard. I enjoy making snowpeople and snowkitties, but most of all, I enjoy shoveling! It's fun :)

So on Day 11, I am thankful for snow <l:^)OO    (That's a snowman....)

Day 8- Katy

11/8/13

My sister Katy is in town from California visiting some friends and family. She is one of two of my older sisters, and though we look semi-alike (or so I am told at times) we couldn't be more different. For example, when Christmas rolls around and I am trying to think of a present to get her, I think to myself, "Do I like this?" If the answer is yes, then I put it back down on the shelf because that means she probably won't ;)

{Scariest day in Chicago- when we rode bikes in the street!}

For most of my life, my sister Katy has been more like a mother than a sister. 

Her and I share the same birthday, but we are 6 years apart, so you can imagine how that has played into our relationship. Early on in our lives, Katy took care of me, made me feel better, and let me play with her when I wanted. Some of my favorite memories of growing up were when she would tuck me in at night and whisper a good dream in my ear that almost always started with me being able to fly :) Then she would leave the hall light on for me so I wouldn't get scared and leave her bedroom door open across the hall so I would know she was never too far away. She was sweet huh?

{Birthdays}

When we got a little older, I became more annoying and she became more pre-teen. I started to get locked out of her room when she had friends over, and we fought like cats and dogs. I specifically remember telling on her ALL THE TIME to mom just to get her in trouble because I was mad that she didn't let me play with her. Though I'm not sure how long that phase lasted, I do feel like it was normal sister-sister fighting stuff!

Eventually, Katy went off to college at ISU, and I was in middle school. Though I was too cool to admit to people back then, her leaving was extremely difficult on me. I was very sad that she wouldn't be around, especially for our birthday because we had always shared that day together. Katy would email me and tell me about her college life, and when I entered high school, she would specifically give me advice on things. Our relationship shifted from being sisters, to Katy being more of a mom, and it worked for a while. 

{Sisterssss}

When I went to college, I was still getting the Katy/mom advice and I feel like that made our relationship harder for me. I didn't want another mom, I wanted my sister, and I didn't feel like I was getting that. When I graduated college, I was living in an apartment with Tommy, we were planning our wedding, and Katy had just moved out to LA. Before she left, I remember wishing that I had gone to Chicago more often to see her and hang out with her, but never actually doing it because it seemed so far away...well then she moved out to LA and she was SUPER far away :( so lesson learned: hang out with your family before they move across the country, or something like that.

{Katy's Going Away Party}

While she was out in LA, trying new things and chasing her dreams, I was finishing up student teaching and stressing about finding a teaching job in a time when the job market for being teacher SUCKED. 

 {Rehearsal Dinner and Bachelorette Party 2011}

{Wedding 6/17/11}

Eventually I got hired, and then my husband got in an accident and my sister was on a plane in a flash. Katy stayed with me for about a month....giving me a shoulder to cry on, staying strong for me when I needed it, making sure I ate food everyday and helping me remember to sleep, be it in the uncomfortable plastic chair in the ICU room or my own bed at home. Though Katy became more like a super-mom taking care of me all the time, it was exactly what I needed in the moment. 

I think for me that is when our relationship started to transform into what it is today. I feel like Katy is really now a bit of a sister and a mother to me, but a good combination of both. We have meaningful conversations about life, politics, opinions, and our childhood. I like talking to her about what's going on in the world (when I call her back...because I'm not the best at that...heh). 

{Christmas 2012}

{Chrissy's B-Day 2013}

{California Trip 2013}

{Us and the Redwoods}

 

{Camping on the Beach}

{Back from camping- tired but happy}

{Last day in LA}

Overall, I am super thankful for my sister Katy and her role she has played in my life for the past 25 years. It couldn't have been easy, and I'm sure that it will continue with it's challenges as my life (and her life) unfolds, but I am so thankful she is along for the ride :) Love you!

{We even sleep alike}