may currently

I am recently obsessed with Downton Abbey. I'm on the third season and it just sucks me in. I'm usually in bed by about 8:30 (#promiseimnot50), but a few nights last week I was up until midnight! It's free on Amazon Prime if you have that option and need something to binge watch.

week-end: (n) a time to sit on the couch and follow the journal of the crawley family

My house has been awfully quiet lately, but my sweet puppies and cat are so fabulous at keeping me company. I won't lie, I used to judge people who posted zillions of pictures of their pets, buttttt, I've turned a new leaf... So here's a few of my little nuggets lately:

Agh. Currently, I have been given the opportunity (LOL) to remediate 5th grade students who need to pass a second administration of our state standardized test. I have mixed feelings. I love working on projects like this (plus I get to teach reading allllll daaaaaay). However, I am super sad that I only get to see with my little second grade besties for breakfast each day. I miss them, and I know they were sad when I told them that once again (more on that later...) they would be without me. Here's to hoping for a quick, but successful last week of intensive instruction, and then thoughts on how to spend my last three weeks with my little darlings.

Speaking of, I have heard lots of talk about where I might be going/what I might be doing next year. I am on a VERY strong team, and as much as I hate to admit it, I know that often the beauty of that doesn't get to last long. I have been pulled to work with 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students so far this year, plus I was last one hired onto my grade level, so... Who knows. We have a staff meeting on Wednesday this week, so I'm hoping to hear some new information! I'd love to be able to plan ahead effectively. I hate starting out a year behind the curve!

AGH, I desperately need to incorporate a workout routine into my life. I am please with my shrinking figure, but I think now the time has come to focus on maintaining a +/-5lb weight range and begin building some muscle tone and losing some of my delicious bingo wings. Anybody have an recommendations for something I can do at home and still kind of hold myself accountable to?

my year... thank goodness i started paying attention to how i was living!

This summer, I am in a wedding, and attending three others. I got married a tiny bit young, and now many of the sweet girls my age are jumping in on the adventure, too. I am so excited for the showers/bach parties/dinners/ceremonies that are starting this month, especially because this is likely my last year to live in Texas (and so my last year to easily attend these kinds of events). I hope that my summer flies by, honestly. August is going to be an exciting month for my fambam and without working all summer, I am afraid it might drag on. I am going to a couple weeks of LETRS training, weddings, to see my parents and precious sister, and hopefully prepping for whatever is going to happen next year. I'm dreaming that I'll be able to squeeze in some kind of beach-y adventure before I have to go back to school at the end of August, but it will be a tight fit!

Currently: April

Let's begin by making it clear. I am the absolute worst blogger. I am joining Farley for the first time in months... and I'm joining halfway through the month. But better late than never, right?!

I have taken up binge watching The Office again ever since I finished listening to Mindy Kahling's audio book on my long drive back from my parents' house over Easter weekend. It cracks me up. I wish we could do a little documentary-style show about my classroom. I have some characters that are quite similar. Also, my injured dog is basically almost all the way healed, so I am enjoying listening to two sets of puppy paws prancing around my house again!

The weather was fairly crappy through February, and I seriously wonder if I have a little bit of seasonal affective disorder. I am generally a pretty happy person, but overcast, rainy weather brings a sister down. I would not be awesome at living in the Northwest, I think (even thought I did live there a couple years when I was little... probably not my best years). BUT, Praise the Lord, it has been fairly sunny the past few weeks and I've been feeling SO much happier!

We are having a concrete patio poured and a sprinkler system put in to basically complete the amount of work we are going to put into our yard before we get ready to move (OMG) next summer. I am super excited for it to look nicer and be more user friendly, but since the projects are being done in stages it is basically unusable right now and that makes me want to go crazy. I have to take both dogs out front on the leash any time they have to go outside and let me tell ya... they would not be good apartment dogs. And I would not be a good apartment dog owner.

Have I said this before? I would love to have a chef. LOVE to have a chef. I have been cooking for uno a lot lately, and by cooking I mean eating Chiobani for one a lot lately. I finally found some Amy's frozen meals that didn't seem super incredibly unhealthy, so I'm excited to try them the next couple of weeks. I also made these ten freezer meals that I found on Pinterest with my mama over Easter break. They are good, but I am still trying to figure out how to adjust the crockpot cook time. 

I need, truly, very little. I like that this always gives me some good time to reflect on how blessed I am. I mean, what do I really, truly need? Very little, my friends, very little.

Uh. My last name is Bean (no joke, my current students LOOOVE to call me "señora frijole"), and I teach. So... there ya have it!

Currently: JANUARY

I know I've been a little absent, but what better way to start the year off?!

I'm currently at my precious grandparents' farm with my parents and my sister and my husband. The week has been full of relaxing and catching up (now that we ALL live in different places) and watching football. Love it. (:

I am so thankful for my new job. I seriously was thinking even before I started working on this post how incredibly thankful I am to be in a position that I love and that allows me to spend Christmas break only thinking or planning ahead because I want to and I'm excited... Not because I am so stressed about what is coming up when I get back. That being said, I am also grateful for my experience last year because I'm not sure I would have understood what a blessing this is without it!

I would love some prayers for my sweet old man "puppy". To keep a long story short, we left him to be taken care back home, and he was hurt this week. Even though I know he is a dog (vs a child), I have been so upset that I left him in a situation I wasn't a hundred percent comfortable with and now I can't be there for him. Maybe pray for both of us?

Looking back on my year and thinking about all that I have... There is not a single thing that I truly NEED.

After I finished my challenging year, I knew one way this school year could improve was by taking care of myself. So I did the Advocare 24 day challenge and pulled my act together. I have lost 23ish pounds from my first challenge and about 30 from my heaviest weight during last school year... And I feel awesome. Not just because of my clothes fitting (some are even too big now?!), but because my skin feels good and I don't feel greasy and I rarely have tummy troubles (which now I can almost always track back to an abundance of friiiiiied food). But now I need to get my exercise on. My primary exercise involves walking the dogs... That's better than the nothing I was doing previously, but being an ex-athlete, I know I can do way better. I'm debating CrossFit. Thoughts on that?

My goal last year was to make $50 on TPT. I didn't achieve the goal, but I also didn't work very hard at it last about... February. Oops. So maybe I will push up on that.

Last, I hope and pray and wish that my family and I will remain happy and healthy this year. I think it's going to be our best one yet!

Currently: September 2014

Thanks for Farley for the ORIGINAL ;) and always fun link-up!

I am happily listening to my husband mow the lawn while I do "inside chores"... lol I am thankful that he is willing to be out in the sun. It is still triple digits most days here.

A couple weeks ago, B saw a dog almost get hit by a car out of our window. He went out to check its collar and return the poor guy to his home... and long story short, there was no room at the local rescue, so Walker ("Dubya") is now enjoying living the good life in the Bean house. The vet says that he is an older gentleman who is really malnourished (he gained 4lbs last week though- partay!) but otherwise in decent health for his age... and we just love him!

I adore my new class of sweet 2nd graders! SO sweet and very respectful for the most pat. They also love to learn. I had students asking me for homework on the first day... and then again on the weekend! They are a liiiiitle chatty, though, so I am looking for new ways to arrange their desks- any ideas? We're currently in groups of 4, but I'm open to just about anything!

I would love to have a personal chef. I am enjoying the effects of my healthy eating lifestyle (all of my teacher clothes fit again! hallelujah!), but sometimes it is really hard to come home after a long day at school and want to whip up a meal that is nutritious and delicious. Shockingly, those are hard to find in my neck of the woods. Especially on my budget...

After one of my sweeties told me last week that she didn't have a toothbrush at home because they had to wait for her mom to get paid again, I am thinking about this "needing" question in a whole nother light. I do not need anything. Not a darn thing.

Three trips I would seriously love to take are: (1) Machu Picchu (I've been dying to visit ever since I learned about it in my 8th grade Spanish class!) (2) Euro Trip (I've never been anywhere in that part of the world!) (3) American Landmarks (I lived in Australia when I was little, and you best believe I saw just about every historic and/or amazing national landmark they had... However, my American adventures are lacking! I'd love to visit the Grand Canyon, NYC, Mount Rushmore, D.C.... just to name a few!)

currently: august

thanks to farley for another fun month of currently! (:

SERIOUS QUESTION: do we think 2nd graders could handle doing a monthly 'currently' in the classroom?

My ridiculous feline has been running laps around our house all morning. Not sure what has gotten into her, but I can hear her little feet scrambling on the tile as she rounds the kitchen...

I am loving that there is Someone with a greater plan than I have. I had all sorts of grand plans to round out my summer and they fell through, but Praise the Lord that happened because I found out that I basically start work in two days! I would have been in major panic mode trying to get home (driving from Florida to Texas!) in time to make that happen! I just have to keep reminding myself to trust trust trust

All that being said, I am thinking about making lists to calm myself. I will be attending the LETRS training for the next two weeks + New Teacher Orientation, and our school closes at 4pm everyday soooo I pretty much have one full day, and then parts of days during teacher inservice week to finish my classroom and get ready for school to start in there. WOAH. Lots of stuff is done, but I have lots of things left to do, too. I know it will all come together, but sometimes I feel a little panic-y...

...and then I remember what the real deal is. If my classroom isn't Pinterest-worthy, IT'S OK because I will love my students more than I will love a perfectly designed and decorated bulletin board. Seriously cannot wait to meet this group of hooligans! I'm going to honestly say (and maybe step on some toes here... yikes! bear with me!) that right now, at the beginning of a new job and new school and new district and new class and new grade... looking at precious blogs and Pinterest boards kinda stresses me out more. I feel like there is a bar set, a standard for how my room needs to look and function and if I am below the cut, my kids will run screaming from the room and refuse to learn. 

BUT, what I have to keep reminding myself is that these awesome bloggers/pinners are putting on display the work they are proud of (as well they should!), but there are likely behind the scenes things that they still have to improve on. I'm trying to focus on 1-2 things per day that I am proud of, and then keep adding the extras to the list!

I kinda basically start work this coming Monday... I have a Monday-Thursday training for the next two weeks, plus an orientation on the second Friday, and then teacher inservice week starts. I'm not sure it has hit me yet that my summer is over.......

currently: july

it is a summer miracle! i actually have this month's currently up ON THE FIRST! thanks again to sweet farley for this always fun link-up!

what are you currently doing? share it here!

Ok so that first bit was a little fib- I am not rightatthismoment listening to The One and Only. BUT I have been doing so while I run! It is my motivation. I like walking/running with others but I haven't quite found the right buddy for that yet... And I am loving the book and I've told myself that I can only listen to it while I am actually running. As soon as I slow down to walk I pause it. Don't be toooo impressed though, I am only about 20 minutes into the book so far... (:

I am super jazzed that our backyard plans are in full swing! We've had tons of people come out to do quotes and measure and make estimates and we're hopefully going to start having this beauty overhauled next week! Can't wait to grill on the patio instead of the driveway for the rest of the summer!

This summer I am definitely visiting Los Angeles to see some of my favorites from college, doing a pitstop in Austin to see my bestie, and then coming back for a mission trip in a nearby town with my sweet sister. Following that, I'm planning on spending some quality time in Florida with the fam...

...but I'm waiting to find out when I'll be able to get into my new classroom! I don't want to wait around this super entertaining place all summer if I can't get in until right before school starts BUT I also don't want to spend a whole extra week away when I could be soothing my stress by easing into setting up my new second home. 

This new healthy lifestyle business plus having to go back to a job where I wear real teacher clothes (as opposed to the jeans and tee combo of my PPCD/Sped days) means that I need to add a few more basic pieces to my wardrobe. However, there are verrrry slim pickings I the way of shopping in my little city. Think JCP, Marshall's, and Ross as the PRIMARY options within 2 and a half hours. Not bad stores in a pickle, but not awesome if you have some definite pieces in mind. I also just ordered some black linen pants for work. Thoughts on that? I tried them on in the store but needed a "short" size so I had to wait. They are incredibly comfy and look mildly professional... What would dress them up enough for school? So far I've only thought of a tank and cardi combo.

I am pumped for the 4th! We are planning on floating down the river and then hopping out for a nap (and probably some much needed hydration) before we head over to see the Eli Young Band at an awesome outdoor venue! In keeping with my healthy-ish choices: any suggestions for yummy and low-cal river drinks?

Happy July!

currently: june

Apparently I only post on this bad boy when there is a link party... and guess who is one of my absolute favorites?! (I'll give you a clue: she lives very close to me and her name starts with an 'F' and ends with an 'arley')

I am home early today for some crazy reason, and my little house is so peaceful and quiet. Somedays being at home by myself is eerie (or gives me a nasty case of baby fever... yikes!) but today it just feels lovely.

After a year of stress and putting my health on the back burner, I have started really trying to be conscious about putting my best foot forward. At this point that only means incline walking on the treadmill a few times a week, making sure I get my daily 10,000 steps, making an effort to get at least seven hours of sleep, and at least thinking before I jam a cupcake into my mouth. I have lost a couple pounds, and more importantly, my clothes are actually starting to fit better. I'm happy to see some progress and even more excited to see what a summer of focused effort can do for me.

I am the most rookie of all teachers. Ridiculous, I tell ya. I scheduled a parent end-of-year, open house type dealio tomorrow. Tomorrow, as in our last day of school, tomorrow. What the h-e-doublehockeysticks was I thinking?! I am excited to be able to give my kiddos' parents ideas about what we've been doing and how they can do the same at home over the summer, but... That means I have been scrambling today to put together brunch food, make my semi-deconstructed classroom (remind me to tell you about how someone already snagged the teacher desk out of my room) look presentable. #firstyearteacher

YES. My new room. I don't want to spend a lot of time discussing that now, but let's just say that I am jazzed about next year. It is going to be so wonderful for my marriage, my career, my sanity...

I needNEEDNEED SUMMER. It is so close that I can taste it. I like new things, and summer has always been the start of something new for me. It's the perfect way to recharge, refresh, and rethink. Teaching is the bomb. I hope I never stop working a job where I can take the summers off.

More about prepping for next year later... Seriously, check back in the next week or two, and I will probably have a novel posted about the changes happening in my little life. Relaxing is key (see above!), and I hope to do so with lots of my sweet friends who kind of got the short end of the stick during my culminating year of chaos.  Last, I plan to really go through my clothes. I need to be honest about the things that do not and will not fit me, and then figure out the things that I really need to be able to squeeze my hiney into next year. Hoping for the best!

APRIL

Ok, can I just say that Farley is my girl? [or I want her to be]. Seriously. This is the most simple reflection piece and if I actually did it every month, I think it would be sweet to look back on. Also, love that she does this with her class. Um, hello, 4th grade reflective writing. Um, hello, rapport building. 

Um, anyways.

Have I ever mentioned that I have a 45 minute drive to work on a dark, unlit highway (or that I have an elementary school literally a block from my house... another story for another time)? Every morning, I call my lil nug Al and we complain strategize for the upcoming day, since we have kinda matchies jobs. She usually gets to school before I do, so I finish my ride by listening to my boos on the Bobby Bones Show and/or iTunes radio. Then I workworkwork and finish my day pretty much the same way.

Can I just get a hallelujah for Fridays? I am taking a life guard course this weekend, so I will be pretty busy, but at least I get a smidge of a break from s-c-h-o-o-l.

I know it's only April, but I have been thinking about next year for the last couple months and it is starting to get real. I have some kids aging into new settings, so there will be lots of schedule/transition planning over the next few weeks to make sure we at least attempt an appropriate placement for next school year!

STAAR testing is not my boo. Somebody get me into a primary job, STAT. Oh wait... Because I am at a teeny tiny school and I am sassy and kids seem to tolerate me, I get a lot of special jobs. For instance: ALL of the STAAR Alt testing for elementary. For instance: Administering STAAR & STAAR-M to nuggets who probably need a swift kick in the hiney an extra encouraging face to help them remember that they can do their best and this is just a test and it's not a big deal, but please don't sandbag, kthx.

I have been a step counting machine lately. I use a FitBit Force (which I know has been recalled, whatever, I don't have any blisters) and I set my goal at 10,000 per day. I would say I hit the goal about 4 days a week. Also, fun fact, it is quite durable. Just ask my students who use it as a fidget in class when we are singing songs that they don't actually like.

LOL HOURS AND DAY.
First off, I am the kind of person who does well under pressure. Thus, I usually leave my room a hot mess in the afternoon and then magically clean it and set it up for the next day between approximately 7-7:30am. At 7:30am, the lil chica I am tutoring, aka life coaching, comes in and we work on some reading. Then, she leaves at 7:50, and I go outside to start the pick-up process with my PPCD. I think school starts at 8? I'm not sure. I am usually in the cafeteria at that point. My PPCDs leave at 11 & 12:30, and then school technically gets out at 2:50 for some kids, and then the ones who need a little extra loving (aka didn't pass the STAAR last year or didn't pass the benchmarks) stay for mandatory tutoring from 3-3:30.  I think we get out June 6th, maybe? Who the heck knows. I am probably going to get suckered into teaching summer school, so I get out never, maybe?

currently january

A little late to Farley's Link Up... but better late than never!

B & I have been borderline obsessed with Breaking Bad for the last month. We watch it on Netflix every night, and we're about halfway through the last season right now. I'm not sure what we'll do when it's over... Suggestions?

Because our break with the parents was a little busy, we left some of our Christmas presents in the box/package until we got home to make sure we didn't lose pieces and stuff. It was so smart. Now, I am unpacking in the red house and finding fun little things... It's like Christmas, round 2!

Recent changes to my job have given me renewed excitement for teaching! I worked a bunch yesterday, setting up centers and moving our group work and independent work areas around, but I can't stop thinking about all of the ways I can rearrange my ONE (I used to have two... yuck) cute little classroom. Check back for pictures.

Thought I am excited, a longer break never hurt anyone I'm sure... (:

I DESPERATELY need to start exercising again. With all the teaching stress and craziness, that part of my life slid by the wayside last semester. We officially booked our honeymoon for March, so now I am definitely feeling the pressure to get my large butt to the gym.

We had two lovely Christmases this year with both of our families. I felt really good about the way we split our time and whatnot. No stress, no drama, just lots of quality time with the people we love. Talk about good memories!

Currently August

Linking up with Farley!

The Bobby Bones show is my main jam. I listened to it pretty much every morning on a top 40 station when I lived in Gtown and then it moved to a nationally syndicated country show my senior year, which was... AWESOME because I love love country music. I am a freak and could talk about this little radio show like I am besties with the hosts.

Um, hi KG Fonts, where have you been all my life? So cute and so free. 'Nough said.

I am jonesin for a red velvet bundt cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes with extra cream cheese icing. Too bad the closest one is back in civilization, aka two and a half hours away from here. I wonder if they take orders...?

My classroom has a very, um, cheery paint job right now. I could see it working in another setting, but it kind of makes my head hurt and I'm going for a caaaaalm atmosphere in my self-contained room. Maybe I can just wish some pretty blueygrey paint onto the walls.

I need a pedicure stat. I dropped a filing cabinet (well, really a dolly with said cabinet) on my big toe. Minor physical damage, but it took the top layer off most of my toe nail. Not cute. And that big ol hater Bennett (aka my husband) keeps making fun of it.

I just did a little back to school must haves post, so I'll keep it brief. This little lady needs a coffee mug that won't spill on my excursion to work every morning, flair pens, sharpies, and shimmer BICs for a variety of... organizational needs, and my Vera lanyard (somehow I found three of those puppies stashed away in my house...) for my ID and keys.

Currently: July

Linking up with Farley for the first time ever! Par-tay!

We've been visiting my sweet grandparents this week. I was pumped to get a nice tan out in their pool, but it looks like the Big Man had other intentions for this trip. Summer storms have kept us inside almost everyday, but it's been nice to spend time just talking and hanging out.

Y'all, I could boast about Shelley's skillz everyday for the rest of my life. We just got some snippets of our wedding photos and they are MAGNIFICENT. Seriously, if you need a photographer for anything ever in the Austin area, get in contact with her. She is my main boo.

After some time at the farm, the farm and I are headed to Nashville. We're going to tour Vandy and hopefully go up to the Bobby Bones show for my birthday morning. Other than that, any suggestions for things to do? We lovelovelove country music and good food. (:

Y'all, we are doing some college visits with my sister and I am wildly jealous. I loved college, I love learning, I love school (maybe I picked the right profession...?) and I can't wait to go get my masters in a few years!

Lesson planning is going to be upon me quickly and I know it could take a while for a planner to get to me, so I need to pick soon-ish! 

I'm obviously not a long-time blogger, but my best advice is to be yourself! All of my favorite blogs are hilarious and enjoyable to read because they have distinct personality and voice. I try to be real and not stress about blogging. I mean, it's supposed to be fun, right?!