Done...

I finally think I am done decorating my house...everything is just the way I want it (for now). With the Christmas decorations taken down, everything is back to normal. I got two Ernest Lee aka "the Chicken Man" paintings for Christmas that I couldn't wait to get hung. I love the blue! I am in the process of deciding what color to paint the S.

I wonder how long it will be before I want to start changing things?

How could I forget?

I forgot to post about our stop on the way home from Nashville. Sadly, we forgot to take a picture, but Kate and I stopped in Clemson to meet up with Amy and Jacqueline to do our annual ornament swap/lunch. Amy, Jacqueline, Kate, and I were all roommates in college. I love these ladies like they are my sisters, and it was a great time to catch up. I received an adorable reindeer ornament/decoration from Amy. It can be used either way, I will just have to decide when I decorate next year.

Thanks ladies! I miss and love y'all!

Road Trip!

Kate and I traveled to Nashville to see the Tigers play in the Music City Bowl and what a fabulous time we had indeed. We got there late Saturday night and went out for a bit, well what we thought was going to be a bit. After meeting up with some friends we had a great time and heard some great bands.

Check out this interesting guy...

I hadn't been back to Nashville since my Papa passed away four years ago, so I wanted to go by the cemetery. Kate was so sweet and said she didn't mind going with me, so on Sunday afternoon we went by there and then came back downtown to find a place to eat some lunch. After walking a bit we ran in a place called, Past Perfect, and it was excellent. It was a very low key bar and restaurant with great food and drinks. Little did we know we would spend the rest of the day here, eating two meals, and meeting up with friends all at the same place. Finally it was game time and we walked to the stadium, all bundled up. It was a great game with a Tiger win! We played a solid game and it was great to end the season on a positive note. (Sorry for the random order, I got frustrated trying to get them sorted.)

C.J., you sure will be missed! (I couldn't zoom in enough, so I had to take pictures of the screen.)

Time to Celebrate!

Notice the "Unruly Fans" sign....I think it was referring to this guy.

He actually wasn't that bad, just really annoying. And he passed out during the second half :)

Five dollar hat anyone?

Thanks Santa!

Santa was very, very good to me this year! I must have been on the nice list :) I got some fabulous outfits, a small red food processor, a green electric mixer, a grill, and a few more goodies. I think someone is trying to tell me I need to cook more. But, I did ask for the red food processor...it's so cute! I have taken everything back to my house, and I am at my parent's house right now, so I will post pictures later. I hope Santa was good to everyone else!

I'm off to the Clemson Bowl Game this afternoon, so GO TIGERS!

My Charlie Brown Tree

My tree is dying...I have watered it everyday, well almost everyday, and it still looks like this. It reminds me of Charlie Brown's poor little tree that everyone made fun of. I'm tempted to just take it down...I will be in Irmo at my parent's house Thursday and Friday, then head off to the bowl game on Saturday and won't be back in town until Monday night. I don't want to even imagine what I might come home to if I wait until next week, the ornaments might all be rolling on the floor.

The ornaments are almost falling off...even the light weight ones...

There is no hope for this tree..
.

Dear Santa,

Dear Santa,

I have been very good all year. Can you please bring me these?

Anthropologie is by far my most favorite store! I wish I could afford more, but for now a few items a year. It's probably a good thing the closest one is an hour and a half away. I guess you could say I have champagne taste on a beer budget. One day, maybe, one day.

Believe like when you were 10

I have almost survived the week before Christmas Break....7 hours to go. I have had to be creative of how to keep the little ones (and at times my own) interest in school. I has been a week of ups and downs, but I see the light at the end of the tunnel...soon.

As demanding, time consuming, difficult, stressful, and heart breaking my job as teacher can be, I sometimes ask myself why do I do this. Is this what I really signed up for? While reading my January issue of Glamour I found this quote and it reminded me of exactly why I am a teacher.

While presenting and recieving an award at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards, Amy Poehler said "the 10-year-old version of me believed the I would be here. So...close your eyes and think about what you were like when you were 10...whether you were singing into the mirror or sitting in a tree...That little person believed that you could be here. And that's why you are here."

By no means do I think I should recieve an award, but I realized that the 10-year-old me believed I would be teaching and influencing the lives of 20 something 8 and 9 year olds each year and that is why I do what I do. Because the 10-year-old me believed.

I needed to read that this week, not only to help me get through the week, but to renew my sense of purpose.

5 Days and Counting....

No, I don't watch the Simpsons, I don't enjoy it, but I have something to celebrate. We, as teachers, have 5 days, count 'em, one week of school left before Winter Break....WOOHOO! And boy do I need a break. Now, I know what all those non-teachers are thinking....you just had a break, and you get over two weeks for Christmas Break, and you get summer vacation....blah, blah, blah. I know everyone works hard at their job, but if I have to feel someone poking me (my big pet peeve and they know it) or hear "Miss Savage" much more, I might really scream. Oh, how I do love children :) I got this song below in an email at school and thought it was appropriate....

Working in an Elementary School (or any school in that manner),

Sung to the tune of "Walking in a Winter Wonderland"

Children scream,

They're not listening.

When they go,

We're not missing 'em.

In all of this pain,

We try to stay sane,

Workin' in an elementary school.

Christmas comes,

They're excited.

Though or nerves,

They've ignited.

They're off the walls,

They run in the halls,

Workin' in an elementary school.

In the lunchroom we can hear 'em yellin'

And we know that they are really wound.

Someone hits, the other says "I'm Tellin'!"

And that's when our heads begin to pound.

Pretty soon,

We'll be restin'

Cause our nerves,

They've been testing,

We're happy it's clear,

It comes just once a year,

Workin' in an Elementary School!

I promise I really do love my job....I just need some time to recoup and relax for the rest of the year. Let the countdown begin!

Much Better!

After finally doing some shopping and wrapping today, my crooked tree looks much better!


Just a few more gifts to buy and come via internet shopping and I will be done! Merry, Merry!!

Gone Bowlin'

Yes, another Clemson post. Give me until the official end of football season and there should not be as many.

When I found out that Clemson was going to the Music City Bowl in Nashville, I started getting the itch to go. I haven't been to Nashville since my grandparents passed away several years ago and have been trying to find a reason to get back. After not being able to convince my dad to go, I thought which one of my friends would be available for a road trip...Kate of course! She was up for and didn't even mind that I wanted to go by the cemetery while we were in town. What a good friend! We have made plans to hopefully see our Tigers get a win against Kentucky. (And I really hope we win because I honestly don't think I can listen to the "SEC is better than the ACC" debate again.) GO TIGERS!

Dear Clemson,

Note: I know I post a lot about Clemson, but I just can't help myself. I love everything about it! I have been so happy to see all the pride that our football team, fans, and alumni have shown this weekend. Hence, idea for a post.

Dear Clemson Football,
How can one team evoke so many emotions out of someone? You make me smile and cheer one moment and then fuss and cuss the next. (my mom is always telling me to watch my language, she says it is not very lady like). I am SO proud of your determine and hard work you have put in this season. As many (I might have been included in those) seriously doubted our season would be successful after the sad day in Maryland, you didn't give up. Thank you! You persevered, became Division Champions and made it to the ACC Championship Game. You have brought your fans up and downs in what I would call one of the best seasons in a long time. I am proud to be a Clemson Tiger and there is definitely something in those hills!

"There is something in these hills that brings together and binds together and holds together men and women of all persuasions, of all heights, sizes, weights, and cultural backgrounds-something that cuts across every difference, spans every gap, penetrates every wall-something that makes every every man or a woman stand taller, feel better, and say with pride to everyone within earshot, "I went to Clemson."

There is something in these hills you can't define and other can't understand. A wave of warmth always surges through me when "outsiders" say, " I don't know what it is about you Clemson people, but your undying love for Clemson is admired by everyone I know."...

Yes, there is something in those hills where the Blue Ridge yawns it greatness.
Joe Sherman, Clemson College Class of 1934

I'm orange, through and through. GO TIGERS!

Holiday Market

This weekend was the Junior League's Holiday Market. I love it! It's full of monograms, polka dots, other wonderful things. Here are some of my goodies I came home with...

A new key chain...I had Clemson on my mind today :)

They were out of A's :( so I had to get a S. I plan on spray painting this and hanging it on the wall somewhere.

All they did for this was put a decal on a bracelet....how cute! Wish I would have thought of that.

I got a few other goodies, but I can't show you because they are Christmas gifts. The lucky recipients will just have to wait!