la-la-la-Lately

Summer is right around the corner and I'm checking off one of my "To Do" items from last summer (better late than never) I've officially registered for my first race. Only a 5k, not to worry, so nothing too impressive. Still, crossing it off the list. I guess the following remain from last summer: tennis, camping, and rock climbing. Reality check: rock climbing? Who am I kidding. Does scuba diving count? I thought I was going to die while doing that so I feel like it's a solid replacement. Camping. I actually like to camp and I think Nicole and Kyle will go this summer with us so that is a reality. Tennis... I'm thinking that the week in FL I'll force Krissy to teach me since she's the only person I know that will teach me, make fun of me, and still be patient enough to put up with me. Oh, and she'll endorse the cute tennis clothing ;)

In other news, I have kept all of my plants alive through sub-freezing evening temperatures. I'm very proud of my accomplishment. Found an easy-breezy taco chili recipe that DOESN'T require the crock-pot. (I know, crock-pots are supposed to be the bff of all women but really, my schedule just doesn't allow me to meet the window of time it requires)

Here's something for all you germ freaks out there. I like a clean house. I do, really. I enjoy being organized and can appreciate a good solid house cleaning; however, Brett is a neat FREAK. I still maintain that my M-I-L set up totally unrealistic expectations for house keeping. I've never in, oooh what has it been 4 years of knowing her, seen her house have a SPECK of dust or anything out of place. Ever. If I didn't know she lived there I'd think it was a Good Housekeeping magazine article. She never has a dish in the sink, a cup on the counter, a stray mark on a window, dust on a counter, nothing is out of place. Crazy. Also, Brian, Brett's roommate in college (yes, you aaalll know Brian ha) was a totally better wife than I am hahaha He just would vacuum on a whim and used newspaper to clean their windows. They lived in a dorm! Puh-lease! Anyway, all this to say that Brett and I may not see eye-to-eye on the whole level of cleanliness required for sanity. I have readily stepped it up, I will say, and we have a happy household because I now clean like it's my job...Brett's made it clear it IS my job haha But, one thing that really makes me feel accomplished in the whole cleaning thing is steam-mopping my floors. I imagine germs just melting off my hardwood and everyone's health improving ;) For real though. Get a steam-mop. I would say it is essential for hardwood floors because those little guys are tricky to clean! If I could live with only three cleaning supplies it'd be a steam-mop, Clorox Wipes, and Swiffer dust pads that I use for dusting just normal surfaces. Oh and my toilet bowl cleaner I guess. Yeah, essential.

A side note. I went all 7th Generation non-chemically when I first moved into our little, tiny Barbie-sized mountain home because I bought into the "The smell of clean is not the smell of bleach and chemicals"...I have to admit....I wish I really still believed this. And, I know some of you do. That's cool beans with me, but I do get a certain reassurance from knowing Clorox was used. Sigh. Add another imperfection to my housewife list. I don't think I'm very good at the whole thing. Just ask Brett and come look at my non-perfect, Clorox infested home ;)

Choose to be a Happy Person!

Promise

Oh, and one more thing.

Interesting.....

Hopefully bringing May flowers....

 (Kinda how April feels.....I heart tulips even if they are in the middle of April showers. Pink tulips would be even better.) 

Oh goodness. Ever had a time period where so many awesomely good things happen and finally as the happy begins to end everything that normally happens begins to be just blah. I guess I'm now at the blah part. See, March was HAPPY. Like, oh so happy. Spring Break was March. Beginning to run consistently was March. Shannon's gorgeous wedding was March. Adrienne and Nick's baby news was March. But April, oh April. April brought test prep at school, baseball rain delays, schedules that never cross at the right points with the right people, missing favorite people, and big project for my Master's class. I guess I do not love April...not that April has been awful and terrible, but it just can't compare to good ol' March.

Here are some interesting notes from around my life in April.

1. Baby birds have taken up residence in my door wreath. Problem is it's the Winter wreath. I ordered this cute spring wreath that is currently awaiting baby bird births so it can take its place on the door.
2. First Braves game of the season with Ted and Jamie. Now that's a few happy things all in one! I heart the Braves, Atlanta, and they are two of my absolute favorite people. Bad part, having a ton of homework to do when I got home and feeling ill most of the day.
3. Getting my first A on a Master's paper the first time (she let's us re-submit, so I've gotten other A's but this is the first A I've gotten without re-submitting)
4. My professor asked to use my project as an example for the class because it was well-written she said :) I was proud because I am the WAY youngest / least experienced in the class.
5. Last observation of the year. TBA how it went. I think I had a pretty good lesson considering I had less than an hour's heads up.
6. Running has been going very well. I went 4 days last week and actually felt good. I don't hate it....
7. Little brother's 21st birthday is at the end of the month. W-O-W. More on that later.


Here's to May. And End of Grade testing.

Oh and National Donut day is the first Friday of June...so it looks like June might just be fab ;)