5 on Friday

ONE
3 months until our wedding!! I can't believe it! It seems like just yesterday we got engaged and now it is almost here.  I have been finishing up our invitations so they should be in the mail soon.  I have also been finalizing the "day of schedule".  The control freak in me needs a plan and I want to make sure I know when all the vendors (and me) will be coming.

TWO
I love my pup dogs! I especially like taking them on long hikes/walks with Jason on beautiful days.  We love going to Smithville Lake (it is where we got engaged) and walking the trail to Sailboat Cove.  It is 2.6 miles each way so it is pretty good exercise as well.  Last Saturday we took the dogs there and actually let them go for a swim in the lake.  They LOVE to swim, especially Charlie.  His little webbed feet make him a pretty good swimmer.  This weekend is suppose to be pretty nice again so we will probably take the dogs somewhere.

THREE
Running! I HATE to run.  People have told me that once you begin you will start to love it.  This is SO untrue! I have been trying to get into a running habit for about 3 months now and hate every minute of it.  I first started on the treadmill which is nice because it is flat and I can set my own speed.   I have now moved outside but am only running 1 mile at a time.  Jason has even started joining me.  We have been getting up before he goes to work.  Even though I still HATE to run, I have been getting a little better each time.  When I first started I could only run about 5 minutes before I would stop, now I am running 1 mile non-stop. Maybe next week I will start running more than 1 mile.  We will see....

Create Maps or search from 80 million at MapMyRun

FOUR
I am loving this weather right now!  Last summer was crazy hot and uncomfortable.  This summer we have had some hot days but also some cooler days to help mix it up.  The forecast for this weekend looks FABULOUS!!

FIVE
I have AMAZING friends/co-workers.  Last night I thought I was headed to my book club but to my surprise it was actually a bridal shower for me! I had no idea and was completely shocked.  I am happy I actually showered and did my hair before going.  I didn't even have make-up on!  I don't have any pictures to post now because I wasn't really prepared but my friend will be emailing the pictures she took to me.  I will write a post about the shower when I get the pictures.

Brady Bands

For as long as I can remember I have always had trouble finding hats or headbands that will fit my head. Most women's hats and headbands are WAY to small. Headbands cut off circulation or slip off my head two seconds after putting it on. I have always been jealous of those girls who wear a headband while working out to keep all those stray hairs from falling out.  I have bought an endless amount of headbands hoping that this time they will work and being disappointed every time.  Recently I was checking my Instagram and saw a picture of a friend with her new 'non-slip" headband from Brady Bands.  My first thought was that they would never work on my head.  I decided to check out the website and as I read about them I thought that these might be different.  They tell you how to measure your head to decide which size to get (small, medium, or large).  You can also get them custom fitted too!  What sold me on them was that they donate at least 10% of each sale to help find a cure for childhood cancer.  The company is named after the founder's son, Brady, who passed away in 2012 from brain cancer.

So my Brady Band arrived yesterday in the mail and I decided to try it out on my morning run.  Guess what...it never moved!!! These headbands are AMAZING!!!  I will definitely me purchasing some more and might even consider a custom fitted one too.  I will probably purchase a non-slip wide band next.  If you wear headbands, your kids wear them, or are looking for a cute gift, check out their website.  I HIGHLY recommend them.  Check out their website by clicking Brady Bands or check them out on Instagram.

This is AFTER my run.

Summer Book List

One of my favorite summer activities is reading, I decided to make a list of some of my favorite books I have read this year as well as some oldies but goodies.

1. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
This is one of my favorite books I read this year! It is a little on the dark side but such a page turner.  The short summary is that on Nick and Amy's 5th wedding anniversary, Amy disappears.  Nick stands by his innocence even as all the evidence points to him.  Is he really the killer?  Prepare for a big gasp at about 50% of the way through the book.  I loved this book so much I decided to read the author's other two books, Sharp Objects and Dark Places.  These are very dark books that are not for the faint of heart but so worth it.  Warning:  Dark Places gave me nightmares.

2. Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah
This was another book club book that I was not sure if I would enjoy.  The main characters are in their 40's. I wasn't sure if I would be able to relate to their childhood memories growing up in the 70's.  I might not have had the same childhood memories but the underlining story about the importance of family and friendship is what made this book a good read. I also read the sequel Fly Away

3. Sookie Stackhouse Series by Charlaine Harris
If you have ever watched or heard about the HBO series "True Blood", these books are what the series are based on.  There are 13 books in all.  The last book in the series, "Dead Ever After", just came out in May. I haven't read it yet but it is definitely on my "to read" list for the summer.  I started reading this series 4 summers ago and I couldn't put them down. These books are the "Twlight" books for adults with vampires, werewolves, fairies, and a whole bunch of other creatures. Money Saving Tip: These books have been out for awhile so check them out from your local library for FREE!

4. Stephanie Plum by Janet Evanovich
If you are looking for a fun, easy read to take to the pool, these are the books for you. They follow the life of a newbie bounty hunter, Stephanie Plum, who is often gets herself into some crazy situations.  These books will make you laugh but also have some interesting crimes to solve along the way as well. Money Saving Tip: If you have a Kindle or the Kindle app on your IPad, check your local library to see if they have e-books that you can check out.  I downloaded most of the earlier books in this series from my local library for FREE!

5. Orphan Train: a novel by Christina Baker Kline
This is the book my book club is currently reading.  Can't wait to talk about it in a few weeks! Great story that talks about the orphan trains back in the 1930's that took orphan children to the Midwest to be adopted by farmers.  I never knew this existed until I read this book. A must read!!!

6. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
This is an unbelievable story of a man who was an Olympic mile runner turned WWII bomber pilot who survives a plane crash, life raft, and Japanese POW camps.  This is a long book but so worth it.

7. The Paris wife by Paula McLain
I was a little disappointed when my book club chose this book.  It didn't seem like anything I would want to read but I was SO wrong.  This historical fiction novel tells the story of Ernest Hemingway before he was famous and his first love Hadley. Great story about life and marriage during the 1920's.

8. Ice cream girls by Dorthy Koomson
I think I found this book on Pinterest of all places.  It sounded interesting so I decided to give it a try.  Two girls in high school get caught up in an inappropriate relationship with an older man.  When he ends up dead, the two girls go on trial for his murder.  One of the girls, Poppy, goes to jail for years while the other, Serena, goes on with her life.  When Poppy gets released from prison she is determined to set the record straight on what actually happen.  The chapters jump around from present day Poppy or Serena to high school Poppy or Serena.  The book keeps you guessing on if the right person went to jail or not. Beware that it is a little graphic at times.  This is currently a TV show in England that I would love to watch.

9. Heads in beds by Jacob Tomsky
I was not always a teacher but first started my career in hotels.  If you have ever worked in a hotel this is a MUST READ! Even if you have not, this book is still a fun read that anyone could enjoy.  It is the true story of the author's experience of working in hotels around the country.  It tells of all the crazy things that happen to him while working in hospitality and even gives tips on how to get things for free when staying somewhere. Everything he recommends does work.  In my 3 short years working in hotels, I could have written this book.  I so related to some of his guest stories and was smiling the whole time I read this book.  I LOVED this book.

10. Sarah's key by  Tatian de Rosney
I read this awhile ago for our book club.  If you haven't read this, please do! Great historical fiction story about the Holocaust.  The chapters switch back and forth between present day and the past.  This story is very emotional that might make you cry.  There is a movie out but I have not seen it yet.  Don't know if I want to ruin this amazing story.

11. Life of Pi by Yann Martel
I really enjoyed this book but it was a little difficult to get through.  It was slow at times but definitely picked up in the second half.  I wasn't sure about this book being made into a movies and still haven't even seen it but Jason did say that they did a good job with the movie.  It is a great book about religion and our belief in the good/bad of mankind.  It is a fictional story that I was still thinking about long after I finished it.

12. Different Seasons by Stephen King
I have never read any Stephen King books but Jason recommended this book because it is 4 short stories (between 100-200 pages each) and 3 of them have been made into movies.  The first story is "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption" which is what my favorite movie, Shawshank Redemption, is based off of.  I have never read a story where the movie follows so closely.
The second story is "Apt Pupil", which the movie of the same name is based off of.  If you have ever seen the movie you know how disturbing the story line is.  The book is even more disturbing so beware.
The third story is "The Body", which is what the movie, Stand By Me, is based off of.  Great movie and book about friendship.
The last story, "The Breathing Method", has not been made into a movie. It is a little on the strange side so I understand why. "Different Seasons" was published a while ago so is probably at your local library.  Since it is 4 stories in one, you don't have to read the whole book at one time.

This is just a few of the many books I have read but some of my favorites.  In the summer, I read A LOT but I am always reading even during the school year.  I read almost every night before I go to bed (even if it is only 5 minutes).  It takes me longer to get through a book during the school year but it is definitely something I don't want to give up even when my life becomes busier.

Happy Reading!

Michigan Trip

Back from Jason and I's mini-vacation!  Jason had to head to Michigan for work so I decided to tag along. We started with a VERY early flight on Saturday morning.  We then flew to Baltimore, MD for a 3 hour layover.

Jason trying to get a nap in Baltimore

We finally left Baltimore to head to Flint, Michigan but our trip wasn't over! We had to drive 3 hours to St. Ignace.

St. Ignace is located in the upper peninsula of Michigan and is absolutely gorgeous! You have to cross the Mackinac bridge to get to St. Ignace which is a 5 mile bridge that has Lake Huron on one side and Lake Michigan on the other.  The bridge was one of the most impressive bridges I have ever seen.  

When we finally got to St. Ignace we decided to go have dinner and a few drinks to celebrate making it through our 12 hour trip.  We went to a Mexican restaurant next door to our hotel and ordered a pitcher of Margaritas. Unfortunately this restaurant was probably one of the worst places we have ever been.  The margaritas tasted like they poured a few of those margarita mixes in a pitcher and added a few shots of tequila.  I am a light weight when it comes to alcohol and I barely felt anything besides a sugar stomachache. The food was not any better.  It was not a great start but the view of Lake Huron and the great weather made up for it.

The next day we decided to head to Mackinac Island.  We took the ferry across and decided to rent bikes since there are no motorized vehicles allowed on the island.  It was a very touristy place but such a cute island.  

On the ferry with the Mackinac Bridge in the background

Waiting for the ferry. Lake Huron is in the background

We rented our bikes and decided to head up to Arch Rock. On the way up the hill we stopped to admire the most famous hotel on the island The Grand Hotel. Very beautiful!

All the cute shops on the main street

The Grand Hotel

Arch Rock was amazing! It was hard to believe that I wasn't looking at the ocean because it was so blue and pretty.  It is huge!

Arch Rock

The view from the top of Arch Rock.  It looks like the ocean!

I got Jason to take a picture with me!!

We then headed back down and stopped at a cafe to have some appetizers and Run Runners.  Yummy!
We then rode around the island on the 8 mile road that goes along the coast.  It was mostly flat so it wasn't that difficult to ride for that long.  The houses along the beach and the view the entire ride were amazing.  I would have taken more pictures but I was just enjoying riding the bike and taking it all in. It was so much fun!

My transportation for the day

The view during our bike ride

Jason is in the background:)

Taking a picture of the amazing view

After 4 hours we finally headed back to town, had a beer, returned our bikes, and headed back to St. Ignace.  Jason was working with the Sault St. Marie and they have the Kewadin Casinos.  We headed over to their St. Ignace casino for dinner and some slot machine fun.

View from the casino

On Monday, Jason had to go do some work so I went and sat on the beach for while before I met him for lunch.  Later that day we decided to head an hour north to Sault St. Marie to see the Soo Locks on the Canada/USA border.  We watched the freighters head into the locks to move along the St. Mary's River that connects Lake Superior with Lake Huron. We headed back to St. Ignace and ended our trip with some yummy ice cream along the coast.  It was a great trip!

Soo Locks.  The bridge in the background takes you to Canada

Birthday weekend/4th of July

I love that my birthday is on the 4th of July.  Everyone celebrates it, fireworks, and there is always something to do.  My birthday started with Jason making a yummy breakfast for me.  I really wanted to go to a movie because we never do.  We went and saw "The Heat" with Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy.  The story-line was not the best but it definitely made me laugh quite a bit.  The rest of the day was spent on our back patio grilling and having a few cocktails.  Since this was our first 4th of July in our house, we didn't know that our neighborhood LOVES to light off fireworks.  We had our own fireworks display from our back yard.  It was perfect!

Friday Jason went with his dad to pick up our 1/2 a cow we were getting butchered. Beside bringing home a ton of meat, he also brought home beef bones for the dogs. They are some very happy pup dogs now! That night we went to the Royals game for Buck Night and Friday Fireworks. Jason got tickets from his work so we had pretty good seats. Even though the Royals lost, it was a fun night.

On Saturday we went to our friend's house to help celebrate their son's 1st birthday and then spent the rest of the day with Jason's family.  Today is our recovery day from a fun, filled weekend.  

I love my birthday but it also marks the unofficial 1/2 point of summer.  Only 5 more weeks of summer vacation....

June: Loves of the Month

Books: The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown.  In college I was hooked on Dan Brown books (Da Vinci Code, Angles and Demons).  On the plane to California last month, I saw his new book, Inferno, everywhere so I decided to read the last book he came out with which was The Lost Symbol.  It was a typical Dan Brown novel with suspense, mystery, and controversial topics.  I especially enjoyed that it took place in Washington DC and talked a lot about all the historical places there.  I love reading about American history and enjoy a good historical fiction book.





Movie: Promised Land and Side Effects  Both great movies on two totally different topics.  Promised Land stars Matt Damon and Frances McDormond as salespeople for a large natural gas company who want to lease and drill on farmland in a small town.  It discusses the effects of this clean, burning fuel on farmland.  Side Effects is a psychological thriller about the effects of taking anti-depressants.  Great movie with so many twists.



TV Most shows have ended for the summer so I don't really watch much during these months. My guilty pleasure, Pretty Little Liars, did start their summer episodes but that is about it.  Jason and I did start watching the series Under the Dome mostly because there is not much else on.  We are both patiently waiting for the August premier of the last season of Breaking Bad.

Eating One of my favorite parts of summer is grilling and one of my favorite foods is a yummy, grilled hamburger.  Jason and I like to experiment with our hamburgers and stuff them with different cheeses or make fun toppings for them.  Yum!!

Music Don't Ya  by Brett Eldredge.  This song just makes me happy when I hear it.  Watch the video here
ViewPure.com is also one of my favorite websites.  I like to show YouTube videos in my classroom but the ads are not always appropriate for 4th graders. ViewPure allows you to create a different link without all the ads. I then store them in my portaportal.com account but that is a whole different topic for another time.

Best Thing About June Definitely my bachelorette party in California!!! Thank you all who made it!

Wedding Update

I can't believe our wedding is 3 1/2 months away! Some thought I was crazy to wait a whole year to get married but I have to say all this time has made the planning process pretty stress-free.  I am hoping I remain this calm as the date gets closer.

This summer off from school has given me some extra time to finish up the planning process.  I finally registered for gifts.  I registered at Bed, Bath, and Beyond and a few items at Target. We would love to do some remodeling to our house, so we are hoping for Home Depot cards as well.  Jason did not want anything to do with the registering process.  In his words, "Our stuff is just fine. Why do we need more junk?"  If you know Jason at all, this sounds like something he would say. The funny part is that Jason does most of the cooking in our house so you would think he would want new kitchen things.  I just think the idea of spending an hour or more in a store scared him away.  While I was registering at Bed, Bath and Beyond, there were two other couples there registering as well.  The look on each of the grooms' faces told me I should be happy (and Jason should love me even more) that he was not there with me.  Registering was a little overwhelming but we I picked out some great items.

Besides registering, I also bought my wedding shoes! I love shoes but can I just say that shoe designers need to make more wedding appropriate shoes that are not 4" or higher heels.  What is up with that!  I am not opposed to wearing high heals but I also don't want to be 6 feet tall when wearing shoes either.  I also want to wear my shoes all night long and not break my ankle either.  I did eventually find some cute shoes in an acceptable height.  I thought I would wear red shoes but I just couldn't find anything I liked.  I ended up going with gold, sparkly shoes.  I could still end up changing them but right now I am happy with what I got.

I have also ordered my tables, linens, and other items that we needed to rent for our event.  I designed and printed our wedding invites.  Now I just need to start assembling everything.  Lastly we finally booked our plane tickets to Cancun!  We have had our resort booked for awhile but hadn't bought our tickets.  111 days until we are relaxing on the beach!