Oh yeah, we did it...

We finally took a salsa dancing lesson!! And... it was actually fun!

I couldn't get DH to take one for the longest time because he either was too nervous about dancing in front of people or, get this, he thought I would "cause a scene". Right... in public, I'm gonna cause a scene. It makes me think that I must do that often because he's not the first one to say that?? I guess I'm just not afraid to speak my mind, but I would never embarrass myself or him in front of other people. Either way, it was fun and we signed up for a one month unlimited pass. I think we'll be able to get in about 5 or so lessons before he leaves for tour.

Another BIG 101 update

Career #5, Make difference in one student's life
this is going to be a long one...

So, I'm a teacher. More specifically a band director. I teach little 6th grades how to read and play music on a new musical instrument. Of which most of them have never played before. Then throughout 7-8th grade we get to mold them into better players to move on to high school.

When I was in 6th grade I had a WONDERFUL band director, who is THE reason I am a band director today. So, naturally, I wanted to be just like her. I mean we even played the same instrument, and are both "vertically" challenged (her more so than I). She was an amazingly strong, independent, and immensely successful woman. Unfortunately, she passed away this last October before I really got a chance to pick her brain about our wonderful career. :(

Now a little background about the kiddos. When you're in 8th grade at my school you have the option to take this class called Career Connections. Most of the 8th grade band kids take it because they don't really want to do athletics. The kids learn about different career options and towards the end of the semester they get to go on a field trip to "test out" a career. For instance, if you wanted to be a vet you might get to go to a local veterinary office, etc, etc. Well we had about 3 kids that went to the high school to be with the head band director for a day. Pretty cool, we thought.

Moving on. I had sectionals (after school tutorials) with my French Horns (the instrument I play) that afternoon. All three of the 8th graders, which happen to be my very first class of 6th graders, are in this Career Connections class. I was asking them how they enjoyed their field trip and I had made a comment about how cool it was that we had a few kids from our program that wanted to be band directors. ALL THREE of them said " that was my first pick too, but I didn't get it" ALL THREE OF THEM! I said how disappointed I was that they didn't get to go as well, but explained that not everyone can go to the same place. Then one girl pipes up and says "yeah, I want to be a band director and teach French Horn, just like you!" Then the other two say "Yeah! ME TOO!" It was SO CUTE! I couldn't believe that my very first class of 6th graders ALL wanted to be band directors. It really touched my heart and made my year!

I never thought that I would really know if I meant something to a child. I definitely didn't think I would find out within 3 years. I thought maybe later in life I'll see a previous student at a music conference and they'll tell me how much they enjoyed my class. But it was really neat to see that, even in my first 3 years.

Thanksgiving and much needed update to 101

I'm not going to go into detail about each one, because that would be uber boring. But I thought I would at least list them... oh how do love lists!!
Everyday #4, Eat at 10 New Restaurants
First one down, Moonshine. And it was excellent, I will definitely be going there again!

Wedding #1, Came in under budget and it was damn fun! Still waiting on the pictures
Wedding #3, I wasn't completely stress free, but I did have enough spare time that I ws able to o things that I didn't think I would have time to do!
Wedding #4, check!
Wedding #6, kinda sorta... close enough I guess :)

Financial #3, #5, #6

House and Home # 5 and 12


And now for a few Thanksgiving pictures...

The Nephew

The end of the night

The entertainment

Entertainment #2

101 in 1001

Purchase #10- Buy a digital SLR camera
Well, I can't really take the credit for this one. I actually got it as a late birthday present from my FI. I'm soooo excited. I'm very impatiently waiting on the battery to charge so that I can start reading through the manual and messing with stuff. I was really taken off guard because I had only mentioned wanting a new camera about one time. And I definitely didn't think it was going to be him that would buy it for me. WOO HOO!! Anyway, here's a picture if you're interested.

Addition to 101 and pictures

I added two new things to my 101. I think this actually (finally!) completes my 101!! The two things were 1 buy a new Digital SLR camera and the 2 is learn how to use the new camera. Whether that be reading the manual or taking a class.

If anyone who reads this knows anything about cameras you'll know that the SLRs are really expensive. And since they're so expensive I made myself a deal. I have to wait until AFTER the wedding to buy one AND I have to start taking more pictures with the camera that I currently have. So in my efforts to meet the more pictures part of the deal I took a few pictures around my house.


I would love to take more pictures of day-to-day stuff, and not just flowers, but nothing is happening right now. I could take more pictures of the puppy, but he's so pitiful right now with his cone and shaved legs, I feel like they might not really be worth sharing... I just need to evolve my creative eye in finding beauty in everyday things. Such as mowing the yard, washing the car, etc. I'm constantly amazed at the people who can make ordinary daily occurrences seem so interesting an "alive". This is what I want to achieve... some day. Maybe my life is just boring and I need to get out more! ;) Taking a photography class would help too.


*** UPDATE *** I have added a link to my Flickr site for viewing of all the photos I've taken.

One more checked off

Everyday #8- Do something special for my 25th birthday
Relationships (Family, Friends, Fiance) #2- Plan a vacation that is not my honeymoon


This vacation falls under both categories. Although, looking at it, I don't know why I listed the vacation under relationships?? Ah well.

Anyway, I'm going to VEGAS for my 25th birthday!!! Sara and I are staying here. A Junior suite at the MGM grand. Our birthdays are about a week apart so we figured we could celebrate together in Vegas. Neither of us have ever been there but I know I'm looking forward to some time away! Normally I wouldn't be going anywhere for my birthday... But having my best friend in another state and my Fiance in another COUNTRY over my bday just doesn't make me want to celebrate. So I thought why not take a vacay?? WOO HOO! I'm excited!

Major update

Wow!! It has been entirely too long since I updated. I meant to update, I really did, but every time I sat down to do it I found something else to do. Not to mention I have barely even had time to sit down and write out an entire post. There are so many updates to my 101, that I'm not sure I can even get to them all, but I guess I will try. Especially since I know you all (1 or 2 people) are SO interested! HAHA!

Purchases #1, 3, 4, 6
I put all of these together, even though they should really be on their own. Most importantly #4!! I BOUGHT A HOUSE! I also purchased a living room set, bedroom set (KING BED!), and new down comforter all for the house. Next on the list is a new stove/microwave and hopefully and front loading washer/dryer. I can't even explain how excited I am about owning a house of my own. The FI and I spent this past weekend painting and this coming weekend we are getting our new furniture. Everything can't come fast enough. I want everything to be here and be living in the house already!!
As excited as I am about moving in, I'm also sad. Kino is leaving June 4 and will be gone until July 20. Which means that he won't actually get to be in the house before he leaves. Unfortunately, I'm not planning on moving until the middle of June because of the end of school and everything I can't fit the move in any earlier than that. :(

Financial #2, 6, 7
The first two are self explanatory. #7, was actually my stimulus check since I didn't get any money back for taxes. Either way, I used $100 on a new dress from BCBG (love it!) then I split the rest on house account and wedding account. I felt pretty proud of myself. It was hard, but I'm really glad that I did it. Not to mention on the first two I actually was able to make up 1/2 of what I spent on my puppy's broken leg. So that's an extra grand for house things that I wasn't going to have because of the medical bills.

Mmm, enchiladas

House and Home #3- Cook one new meal a month
I found a recipe off of Foodnetwork.com and decided to give it a shot. I made the chicken enchiladas form Tyler Florence. It turned out pretty well. I would have taken a picture, but I didn't want my FI to think I was nuts. But it did get the approval of my very picky mexican food snob FI. He kept telling me that he didn't want tex-mex enchiladas, that he wanted the "real" kind so I made him approve the recipe before hand. We did tweak it a little bit, taking out the corn for him and the chiles for me since I don't like spicy things. All in all it turned out well and now I am stuffed.

House and Home #4- Start using cloth grocery bags
Today while I was at the grocery store picking up the ingredients for the enchiladas I went ahead and bought three green bags. I am determined to start using them and keep using them. I think it will take some getting used to; having to actually TAKE something TO the grocery store. But it makes me feel a little better since I would never be able to give up my car. Not could I take the bus or ride my bike. It's horrible, but I'm too vain to ride a bike to work and I just don't feel safe on public transportation in general.

I'm on my way

Career Related #6 Buy a new suit
I LOVE this suit!!! I definitely splurged, but it is SO worth it. I have been wanting a new suit for a while and a skirt suit for even longer. Now I've killed two birds with one stone. Anyway it's from Banana Republic Outlet. They're having a pretty decent sale right now, so I recommend checking it out. Ann Taylor is having a good sale too, but their stuff just fits me a little weird. Happy Shopping!!

House and Home #14
I decorated my dining room table for spring this past weekend. I decided that I didn't want to do "Easter" because that only lasts until Easter is over. This way I can keep this look even through summer because it's light colored.


I bought everything on that table from TJMaxx for under $25. The fake flowers cost the most. Which actually got me thinking "I could so do that for cheaper." So I went to Hobby Lobby yesterday and bought some silk flowers (50% off) and a vase. Mine is going to look so much prettier!! I'll post a picture when I finally get a respectable wire cutter... the fake flowers have ruined the three that I had previously.

More checks

A few more checked off.

Everyday, #10
For the past three weeks I have gotten up with my alarm clock every morning! This is no small feat considering I now get up at 530 compared to my old 6-615. I recently got a puppy (see post below) and I get up at 530 to get him walked, entertained, and fed by the time I have to leave the house at 645. Of course, a big part of getting up on time was due to the fact that my FI has been out of town. For some reason, whenever he is around I can never seem to get out of bed. Oh how I would love to win the lottery and be able to stay in bed 24/7!



Purchases, #5
I LOVE my new phone!! I finally decided to splurge on one. I have had crappy phones for the past few years. Think, the ones you get for free for signing another 2 year contract. The only thing I have to complain about is that the ringtones suck ass. But other than that I lurve it!


Misc, #3
I bought the blurb book that I made of my Boudoir photos. It should be here any day now and I'm really excited. I hope that it is as good of quality and everyone is saying it will be.

One more thing checked off

Health/Fitness #11
This past Saturday my mom and I took Bandit and Cloud to the dog park for about 3 hours. It was good for him to get socialized with other dogs. He can be a little skidish and I don't want him to be one of that dogs that can't be around strangers or other dogs and I also don't want him to be a yappy dog.


Also, if you're interested, I've posted quite a few videos on YouTube of the puppy. My account is lp1044

Check those off the list!

Well, like I said, I haven't completely finished my 101 list. But I have started to mark things off. Surprisingly more than I thought I would have in the amount of time. So... on to the interesting stuff.

Career related #8
I attended a conference February 14-16 and I found (and bought) new technique books. I was in desperate need. Most of mine have writing all over them, which oddly enough I don't want to erase. Or, they don't have a cover and the pages are ripped. I felt it was time to replace them with new ones. Although I will never stop using my old books.

Financial #6
I don't really need to update each month on this. But, with still trying to recover from Christmas and just spending too much money in general, I'm surprised I actually put money towards the wedding this month. So I thought it was post worthy :)

Relationships #6
I sent a card with a handwritten note to my best friend and my brother. And come to find out, the day my best friend received it had been a bad day for her and it really lightened up her day. YAY! Go me! ;D

House and Home #2
On February 9 I brought our new puppy home! He's been so amazing. Of course there's the usual peeing and pooping on the carpet and the getting out of baby gate and crate. But he's a puppy and I'm just glad that he's smart enough to get out things. He's a black Pomeranian, three months old TODAY. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BANDIT!

House and Home #3
FI and I made homemade meatballs last Saturday. They didn't turn out as well as my mom's, but they were pretty damn good for a first time. They were also WAY easy. Although, you may say I cheated because I didn't make homemade pasta sauce, but I was just too lazy to go that far. Maybe that will be the 2nd meal we have?!

Misc. #2
I made a photo boom on blurb.com. It looks really awesome and FI was a little confused why I wanted a book just for myself. I told him that I was proud of the pictures and I paid too much for them to just sit on a CD.

I'm bad, I know

So... I haven't really kept up with the blog a whole lot. And... I didn't finish my list by Feb 1, but I'm getting really close. I only need about 8 more. (They're actually really hard to come up with) My problem is that I don't want to put down something that I really don't think I'll do, because I want to finish them all. But then I don't want to put down stuff that I KNOW I'll do for sure, cause that's too easy. Either way, I have completed a few of them while in the process of trying to finish the list. So even though I didn't finish my list, I started working on finishing the goals. The list just might have to be a work in progress. I'll think of some while I'm driving home or something, and by the time I get around to opening the file, I've forgotten. O'well, such is life.

I'll make another post about the things I've completed later today. In the mean time, I've got lots of laundry to do.