(Almost) The End of Summer

Well, summer is almost over and my 3 1/2 week trip to Georgia turned into 6 weeks. Once I got home, I realized how much I had missed it and just couldn't leave. With that said, Kaitlyn didn't come see me so I didn't get to introduce her to Georgia. We also didn't get to do everything on our summer bucket list in Texas, but we did visit Port Aransas, go fishing, have lunch at the Bear Moon Cafe, and do some Pinterest crafts. A lot of the other stuff that we had planned can be done on the weekend, so there's still time to get those done. 

 Every summer since I can remember, my family has been going camping at the same place in North Carolina. This year, we went for a day trip and had a great time rafting down the rapids and swimming in the ice-cold water. Top Left- My brother in law; Middle Left- My Mama; Bottom Left and Right- My Niece; Bottom Center- My sister;  Top Right- My best friend :)

 I visited my best friend and her husband in Odessa for a few days and we took a trip to Monahans Sandhills. I've never seen so much sand before. That's all you could see forever. While there, we watched a couple of storms roll in and witnessed a couple of cool lightning shows. 

 A couple of weeks ago, I visited my first Texas beach, Port Aransas. It was also the first time in about 2 years that I have been to the beach and I went fishing for the first time in probably a dozen years. The sun and the sand were great therapy. 

 These are some of the flippin' adorable T-shirt pillows that I made for my classroom this year. I made 6 total, and hope my kiddos love them as much as I do!

 I bought this dresser a few years back from Ikea and decided to Mod Podge the drawers with some scrapbook paper to make it cuter, because everything in my classroom has to be cute! In this picture, the original knobs are still on, but I bought some cute turquoise flower knobs and it looks even more adorable now. 

So, even thought I didn't get through everything on my Summer Bucket List, I had a great summer. I got to spend lots of time with my Mama while she was recovering from her total knee replacement surgery and had the chance to see some of my friends as well. I know that I didn't get a chance to see everyone that I wanted, but there's always Thanksgiving and Christmas. :)  

Summer Bucket List: Georgia

A few weeks ago, I posted my Texas Summer Bucket List of all the fun things that Kaitlyn and I want to do this summer so that I can experience all things Texas. We were talking the other day and it looks like I am going to get to introduce Kaitlyn to Georgia this summer as well! I am super excited to take her home and introduce her to my family and friends. I will be home for 3 weeks, and Kaitlyn will be joining me for a few days my last week there, then we are driving back to Texas together, making a pit stop in New Orleans on the way. As I was thinking about all of the "Georgia" things I want Kaitlyn to experience, I decided I would come up with a list for that as well. Also, I am terrible at remember anything, so lists are good for me. Here is what I have so far...

Centennial Olympic Park
The Varsity
The Big Chicken
Downtown Marietta
Downtown Woodstock
My Grandparents Home
Georgia Aquarium
White Water
The Fox Theater
Amicalola Falls
Savannah
Stone Mountain

What we actually get done depends on how long she will be there with me, but I am super excited to introduce Kaitlyn to Georgia. Especially since she has done such a fabulous just introducing me to everything Texas. Speaking of which, I know I've been in Texas too long... I was craving a breakfast taco today. I had never eaten a breakfast taco up until a few months ago... I need a Georgia fix! <3

Extreme Randomness

Wow! I can't believe it's been seven months since my last post. This (school) year has flown by and a lot of changes have occurred since September. Let's see.. I bought my very first brand-spankin-new car on New Year's Eve and love it! I got a 2013 Toyota Corolla. It had a whopping 5 miles on it when I drove it off the lot. After driving back to Texas and a trip home, it has quite a bit more miles on it now, but I still love it. I also moved into my own apartment. It's the first time I have had my very own apartment and I am enjoying every minute of it. It's sometimes a bit too quiet and lonely, but it's also soooo great knowing that it's alllll mine! Needless to say, I've spent a pretty penny buying furniture and cutesy decorations, but it just looks so damn pretty I can't stop decorating. :)

About 10 weeks ago, I started my journey to a healthier me and joined the gym. My thyroid disease makes weight loss super hard, but I've lost about 10 pounds and am slowly seeing results. My cousin also got me hooked on body wraps by It Works and I have lost a couple of inches in my waist with the help of those puppies. If you want to try them, go visit my cousin's Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/ItWorksPancotti. My progress is slow, but I'm getting there! 

Sorry this post is all over the place. There's just so much that I need to get out of my brain. So, now on to my other randomness.. 

I have asked myself a few times why I was sent 1,000 miles away from my family and friends, besides to start my teaching career. Sometimes I wonder if I was sent out here to meet my soul mate. Sometimes I think I just needed a break from everything that was my life back home. As far as the soul mate business goes, I read something once (gotta love Pinterest!) about soul mates and, well, here it is: 

I don't know if I was sent here to meet my "romantic" soul mate, but I have definitely met a soul mate. Kaitlyn is another newbie this year in 5th grade, and I don't know what I would do without her. She has helped introduce me to everything Texas, including Texas Country music (Josh Abbott and Randy Rogers Band),  Cabela's, breakfast tacos, and I'm sure there's more that I can't think of right now. Most importantly, she has helped me remember how fun it is to be a single twenty-something. I had been in a relationship (well, 2 different relationships) from the time I was 18 until I was 23. I hadn't really had the chance to enjoy being a twenty-something because my most recent relationship drained everything out of me, especially my happiness and energy. Kaitlyn is helping me make up those missed years (and then some!) that were spent in a less-than-stellar relationship. I have my moments when I wish I had someone to snuggle on the couch and watch a movie with, or to take care of me when I don't feel good, or to go walk River Walk with, holding hands with the occasional PDA, but there's also great things about single, too. I get to go out whenever I want and not have to worry about someone getting his panties in a bunch over it. I spend all my money on myself. I'm not paying someone else's way. I'm not raising a grown man, and most importantly, I can honestly say that I am happy with my life.

Going back to Kailtyn introducing me to Texas, while we were walking through a local park the other day, we came up with a summer bucket list. These are all things we want to do this summer, and my plan is to write about our adventures on here: 

Visit Port Aransas  
Go to Guadalupe River State Park
Float the River at Don's
Enchanted Rock
Kayaking
Horseback Riding
Buy mountain bikes and go for a long ride
Day Hike
Hamilton Pool
Fishing
Old Town Helotes
Crafting (PINTEREST!!!!)
San Antonio Zoo
Bear Moon Cafe
Wii Sports
Get Sexy, Get Tan, and Get Drunk

I am sure we will add to the list, but that's enough to get us started at least. We will, after all, have two and a half months to partake in all sorts of adventures! 

Soooo excited for this summer! Only 35 more days of school including one Early Release day, Field Day, testing days, and 5th grade graduation. I'm not sure who is more ready for summer; me or the kiddos. Perhaps we are equally ready. :)