30 Day Challenge | Day 30: The End

Well folks, I did it!  (Late today, I know...but this post specifically asks for a picture taken today, and I had to wait for J to get home and take one.)  THE CHALLENGE has come to an end.  It was fun while it lasted, but I'm not too sad to see it go.  There were a few days there when I had to work really hard to get a post done!  I tried to avoid this by writing several at a time when I had the chance, and scheduling them to post on the appropriate day.  Way to plan ahead, B!

In any case, here I am today with the nugget:

And three good things that have happened during these last 30 days?  Here ya go!

1. Family Reunion

Playing with Mimi's dogs.

Grammy loves me!

So does Mimi!

Grammy and Grampy loved spending time with G.

Gabe wanted in on the beer action, too.

Baby G and I got on an airplane (yes, an airplane!) and flew to Ohio for a reunion.  It was great to show Gabe off to some extended family.  Also, my baby is a rock star.  Overall, AH-mazing on the plane.  Wouldn't hesitate to travel solo with him again (although we definitely missed J!).

Also noteworthy?  I am a chronic over-packer.  I feel like I need my entire wardrobe and forty-eleven pairs of shoes, just in case.  (In case of what, you may ask?  In case of a fashion emergency, I suppose.  You never know when an occasion might present itself that calls for a evening gown and stilettos.)   Well for this trip, not only was I solo with an infant, but I carried my luggage on.  That's right.  I got all of my clothes- and the nugget's- into one tiny rolling suitcase.  Everything else went into the diaper bag.  Baby in stroller- and we're off.  My sister was shocked and amazed at this- to which I replied "That's right.  I'm f*@#ing supermom."

2. Visit to The Lake

Gabe loves the water!

Feel the breeze...

Sunbathing.

Our good friends have a house on Lake Gaston.  (Well, actually, their parents do, but you get the gist.)  I have spent time with them there every summer since I moved to NC.  I love it.  I love being on the water, I love the serenity of the whole place, and I love spending time with some of my favorite people.  This was our first time there this summer, and Gabe's first time there ever!  He loved the breeze by the lake, and was really a trooper the entire weekend.  Good times had by all.

3. A New School Year

That's right, with this crazy year-round schedule that I work, the new school year is underway.  I love the start of a new school year.  It is so full of potential.  The promise of being the best teacher I've ever been, trying new things in the classroom, meeting a new batch of students.  My position since I left the classroom is a little different, in that I don't work with the same 25 kids all day, everyday.  As a matter of fact, I don't yet know who all of my students will be!  But I've gotten to work individually with many sweet new faces, and in the next couple of weeks, will begin my small group classes with kindergarten and first grade.  I like to think that I make a difference for these beginning readers.  And there are not many things better in this world than helping a child become a reader.  

Well readers, there ya have it.  THE CHALLENGE comes to a close.  But keep checking back!  I've got plenty more to say...;)

30 Day Challenge | Day 29: Things I Could Never Get Tired of Doing

Playing with this sweet boy.

Cooking a delicious meal.

Looks just like me, no?

Reading great books.

Sleeping in.

Online shopping.

Date nights with J.

An oldie but a goodie- J and I on our way to The Melting Pot the night we got engaged.

Popcorn and a movie.

Drinking good beer.

30 Day Challenge | Day 28: Favorite Movie

Can anyone truly narrow movies down to their one and only favorite?  Really?  Okay, maybe some people can.  But I'm not some people.  So you're getting my top five!

Good Will Hunting

Even though every time I see or hear mention of Matt Damon, I picture his puppet character self in Team America (Matt Damon!), I do believe he is actually a brilliant actor.  It's hard to believe that he, along with Ben Affleck, wrote such a beautiful screenplay.  The story is superbly acted by the duo, along with Robin Williams, in what I believe to be his most magnificent role to date.  My favorite line: "Do you like apples?  Yeah?  Well I got her number, how do you like them apples?" 

The Breakfast Club

I admit it.  I have a girl crush on the 1980s Molly Ringwald.  I love all of her moments of teenage angst played out on the big screen.  John Hughes was a genius!  I love all of his films featuring Molly, but The Breakfast Club is my favorite.  That's probably because I also have a little crush on 1980s Judd Nelson, the bad boy of the film.  As bad as he may be, however, I believe he speaks words of wisdom that truly apply to life: "Screws fall out all the time, the world's an imperfect place."

Almost Famous

Kate Hudson (my ultimate girl crush- sorry, Molly) plays Penny Lane, a groupie who follows around the great artists of classic rock.  When a high school kid named William gets thrown into the mix, she looks out for him.  I love the drama of the band.  I love the innocence of William.  I love the tortured love affair between Penny and one of the band members.  But I especially love when, after an unfortunate evening, everyone on the bus sings Elton John's "Tiny Dancer" in unison, all brought together by the music.  Gives me chills.

The Little Mermaid

Yes, I am a fan of kids movies.  In fact, there aren't many kids movies I don't like (aside from Up, Bambi, and Dumbo).  There aren't many kids movies I don't own.  J likes them, too.  What can I say?  We're kids at heart.  I love the movies from Disney's Renaissance: The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King.  But The Little Mermaid is my favorite.  It may have something to do with the fact that Ariel is the only ginger Disney Princess.  But I also really love the music.  I could belt out "Part Of Your World" for hours on end.

Forrest Gump

Oh, Tom Hanks, you magnificent man, you.  I love the story of this man, and his undying love for his Jenny.  I love his unexpected friendship Lt. Dan.  I love how even though the world thinks he's stupid, he overcomes great obstacles to become a success.  I also love how this movie gives us a glimpse of history through the decades the story takes place in.  And I love the message that you can love and be loved in return, no matter how smart you are.

BONUS:
As it turns out, J reminded me last night that this was not the original top five that I told him when we first met.  Almost Famous was not on the original list, but The Shawshank Redemption was. 

Cannot believe I almost left this one out!  What a haunting story.  I love the friendship that develops between Andy and Red (oh, Morgan Freeman, how I adore you!).  I love how quiet, stoic Andy manages to become indispensable to crooked warden, while all along plotting how to escape and expose his misdeeds.  I love how two good friends are reunited in the end.  This is a story of beauty.  Now would you believe that it was written by Stephen King?  Craziness.

30 Day Challenge | Day 27: Last Year vs. Now

Well this is  an easy one.  Let me document the past year in photos:

August 2010- J and I at a wedding.  Teensy bump!

September 2010- J and I on a trip for our anniversary.  My first week in maternity pants!

October 2010- Growing belly!

November 2010- No mistaking the baby on board!

December 2010- At my baby shower!

January 2011- My maternity photo shoot!

February 2011- My everything was born.

March 2011- The nugget's first photo shoot!

April 2010- Wrestling my peanut.

May 2010- Watching the boy roll over.

June 2010- Family time at the beach!

July 2011- Family photo!

I'd say life has changed for me, just a wee bit, over the past year!  But it has been the best year of my life.  Becoming a mama is the realization of my biggest, bestest, most wonderful dream.  Couldn't ask for more.

30 Day Challenge | Day 26: Places I've Been

My favorite place to be involves very few things: sand, water, and people I love.  I have been very fortunate in the past few years to visit some pretty incredible places that just so happen to fall into this category.

Negril, Jamaica

 Unlike the more partyriffic Montego Bay, Negril is quiet and serene.  Technically, there was no sand where we stayed.  Our resort was cliffside.  You could literally leap off of a cliff into the clear ocean water below.  I, of course, was too chicken to do this.  But J enjoyed!  The Catcha Falling Star resort was incredible.  We had a two bedroom bungalow, complete with outdoor shower and patio hammock.  Ahh, the beauty of this place.  It really was a hardship to be a bridesmaid in a wedding here.

Maui, Hawaii

The honeymoon destination of the masses!  Such a gorgeous island.  We rented a convertible and drove around with the top down.  We laid poolside, we sampled delicious food at local restaurants, we watched the ocean waves from a hammock on the hotel grounds.  Heavenly.

Surfside Beach, SC

My boy's first time in the ocean.

 Yes, not nearly as glamorous as the previous two destinations, but a wonderful time nonetheless.  This is the spot where my family vacations.  My parents rent a house right on the beach and we enjoy the sand and sun for a week.  It's so fun to be together for some summer relaxation each year.

30 Day Challenge | Day 25: My Purse

I hope you've got awhile, because my purse is a dump.  Like, I literally dump all kinds of crap in there.  I carry a big bag.  You may want to get a snack.

Please note: this is not my actual purse.  But I wish it were, so maybe you could buy it for me?  Kthx.

Okay, here goes:

• Wallet (which houses ID, some cash, my debit card, insurance cards, AAA membership card, and two little love notes that I sometimes look at when I'm having a bad day)
• Checkbook
• Glasses in brown leather case
• Change purse (which holds all of those random store rewards cards- name a grocery store in any state, and I probably have a frequent shopper card)
• Coupon Organizer- 'tis true, I lost the binder.  I must have left it behind at The Teeter.  Coupons are now in a purse-sized organizer so that in case of a coupon emergency, they are with me always.
• iPhone- because I never leave the house without it.
• Excedrin- for when I have a headache THIS BIG.
• Tylenol- for when I'm pregnant and I have a headache THIS BIG.
• iPhone car charger- why it isn't in my car right now, I have absolutely no idea.
• Tiny hair brush- because sometimes the coif needs a midday pick-me-up.
• Pen- black Sharpie pen.  Those little fine-tipped gems are the BEST.
• Gift card to The Melting Pot- for my next date night with J.
• A prescription and a discount card for said prescription- because I haven't made it to Walgreens yet.
• Zipper pouch with nail files- you never know when you might break a nail!
• Cuticle clippers- because I'm a cuticle picker.  This helps.
• Grey stretchy headband- in case I want to wash my face in a public bathroom??  I've got nuthin'.
• Baby sunscreen stick- for the nugget.
• A pacifier- hey, I'm a mama- I've got those stashed everywhere!
• Kindle charger- usually I have my Kindle in there, as well, which would make this make sense.  Alas, Katarina is at home today.
• Old grocery list- because I guess I didn't throw it away.
• Car title- I've been carrying this around for months, ever since Operation Soccer Mom failed.
• Pack of gum- to remain minty fresh.
• All of Baby G's ultrasound pictures- because I just don't know where to put them!
• Keys- one to my classroom, one to J's house, and my car/house keys
• Four lip glosses- all, no doubt, in ever so slightly varying shades of peachy-pink.
• Two lip balms- leftovers from the days before I discovered Kiehl's.
• Obligatory feminine products- because they're necessary.

I will now take this opportunity to clean out the mess of a bag I call a purse.

30 Day Challenge | Day 24: This Means a Lot

Bet you were worried that I was about to fail at THE CHALLENGE, huh?  Well, my camera phone just wasn't workin' for me today, so I had to wait until baby G went to sleep so I could pull out the big guns.

In any case...

This really means a lot to me.

This ring was my grandmother's.  (I lovingly refer to her as The Nana, and I miss her so!)  According to the jeweler who restored it, it most likely went back another generation, and originally belonged to my great grandmother.

I remember this ring on The Nana's right hand as I grew up.  At some point, she badly damaged it, and must have stopped wearing it.  This probably happened in my college or young adult days, when I wasn't around as often to notice it missing.

When she passed away, I asked about the ring.  I was preparing to get married, and I badly wanted to wear it as I walked down the aisle.  It could have been my something old or my something blue! 

The ring was hunted down and given to me as my wedding gift from The Nana.

Although the ring was in terrible shape, I found an amazing estate jeweler who restored it to its original beauty.  A photo cannot due justice to the beautiful, intricate scroll work on the band, but you can get the idea of the beauty of this ring.

And yes, I know what you're thinking.  It bears a striking resemblance to another ring that has been in the news these days.  But mine is much older (and much cooler, in my opinion, even if my sapphire doesn't come close to 18 carats).  I assure you, this is no replica.

I proudly wear this beautiful ring every day, and I love, love, LOVE it.  And I love that it once belonged to The Nana.  It's nice to have a little piece of her with me all the time.

30 Day Challenge | Day 23: Songs I Like

THE CHALLENGE has asked me to let you all in on songs that I listen to when I am happy, sad, hyped, bored, or mad.  I had to really think this one out.  I love music.  I really do!  I've got a bazillion songs on my Pod, so it was hard to narrow these down.  But I've done my best!  Here's what you get:

Happy Songs: Songs that make me happy!
"For Once In My Life" by Stevie Wonder- the song that was playing as J and I walked into our wedding reception as man and wife
"Yeah" by Usher- reminds me of the good ole' days when I was a youngster out on the town with my gal pals
"Hey Ya" by Outkast- because who doesn't like to shake it like a polaroid picture?

Sad Songs: Songs that are beautiful but sad.  And that is all.  Sigh.
"Angel" by Sarah McLachlan
"100 Years" by Five for Fighting
"The Mountains Win Again" by Blues Traveler

Hyped Songs: Songs that hype me up (aka faves from my "Workout" playlist)
"Pump It" by Black Eyed Peas- Louder!
"Gimmie More" by Britney Spears- it's Britney, bitch.
"Stronger" by Kanye West- whatever doesn't kill you and all that.

Bored Songs: Songs that I like to sing- something I sometimes do when I'm bored?
"Need You Now" by Lady Antebellum- love the harmony and high/low range.
"Gravity" by Sara Bareilles- beautiful melody, beautiful words.
"Before He Cheats" by Carrie Underwood- I can really belt this one out.

Mad Songs: Songs with an angry message (that I like to receive).
"F**k You" by Cee Lo Green- I think this is self-explanatory.  And awesome.
"Forgot About Dre"- Dr. Dre & Eminem- because can you think of two angrier people?
"Not Ready to Make Nice" by Dixie Chicks- because sometimes I'm just not.

BONUS categories!

Songs that make me want to shake my booty:
"Poison" by Bel Biv Devoe- a true classic.
"Money Maker" by Ludacris- shake what yo mama gave ya.
"SexyBack" by Justin Timberlake- what this song was designed for.

Songs that I sing into a mixing spoon while I'm cooking and dancing simultaneously:
"Lady" by Lenny Kravitz- because I like to pretend that I'm Sarah Jessica Parker in that old Gap commercial.
"I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)" by Pitbull- because it's fun to count in Spanish (uno, dos, tres, cuatro).
"American Girl" by Tom Petty- because it's my favorite song!

30 Day Challenge | Day 22: Favorite Super Hero

What I really want to say is Wonder Woman.  Not only can she fly, but even her accessories have super powers!  And you all know how I feel about accessories.  The girl wears a tiara, for Pete's sake.  A magical tiara.  And indestructible bracelets.  Total coolness.

And a bustier to boot.  What a fashionable hero she is!

But the truth is, Wonder Woman is kinda off the radar.

Really, I think Batman is the most badass of all the super heroes.  I'm not sure why, really, because he can't fly, he doesn't have any magical abilities, and if we're being honest, he doesn't even have super powers!  He's just a badass with really cool gadgets.  And lots o' money to fund his badassery.  Maybe that's why I love him so.

BAMF

Plus, everyone must admit that "The Dark Knight" made Batman cool again.  So long, Adam West.  POW!  I am so looking forward to "The Dark Knight Rises", so that Christian Bale may return to protect Gotham City once more.

30 Day Challenge | Day 21: Things That Make Me Happy

My baby's smiling face.

Don't you just want to pinch those precious cheeks?

Bread.

I'd like to eat this for breakfast.  All of this.

Holding hands.

Yes, I'm a sap.

Cute shoes.

I pretty much covet all of these.  Especially the top left.

People Magazine arriving in the mail.

Please note- People Magazine makes me happy.  Justin Bieber does not!

Finishing an excellent book.

I literally said the words "I'm so happy!" out loud to no one when I finished this book.

Epidurals.

I literally said the words "I'm so happy!" to J after I got an epidural.

Being in love.

Best. husband. ever.