Try a Little Tenderness

One of my all time favorite songs has been everywhere recently.

 I am so excited about this.

Otis Redding sang with the perfect amount of soul, swag and sass. This song moves through me and my body moves with it. Its like I have no other choice but to dance to this song.

It's instinctive.

It's natural.

Recently it has been danced to on So You Think You Can Dance

 featured on Glee

and NOW

Kanye and Jay-Z are incorporating it into their new single "Otis"

So push play and dance with me.

The Secret's Out

The thing is...we all have secrets. 

Today I had cookie dough for breakfast AND lunch

I have to put lotion on my hands after I wash them

I cry every time I watch "surprise homecomings"

When running I picture myself on stage as a superstar as motivation

When driving sometimes I imagine myself driving in a different state.

but the truth is I've been keeping a big secret from you all..

I got a JOB!

I accepted the offer two months ago but I didn't sign the contract until last week. I am now the latest and greatest 5th grade MATH teacher. As many of you might know, Texas went through some major budget cuts this past year and as a result many excellent teachers were let go based on the number of years that were taught and not based on performance. I was (along with many of my friends)  let go because of that. In the beginning, the search for a new job seemed to be a mission impossible. Principals were getting so many emails from the unemployed that I am certain mine were never opened! 

The support from my staff, parents and students many times left me speechless. Students rallied to host a bake sale in hopes to raise enough money for me to stay. When my principal informed them of the minimum money they needed my poor little students heads dropped in defeat. But it was all the kind words, notes and gifts kept me going. 

 I was humbled by the process of the whole job search. The unknown is an uncomfortable place to be in. God really did some amazing works in me these past couple months...but am I really surprised by that? I am in awe of his timing and the path his light is leading me down. After months of silence I went on several interviews at once. I loved every one of them, but there was this one school that tugged at my heart a little stronger. They offered me the job as I pulled from the parking lot and I needed no time to think. I accepted right away. 

Even though it was a math position I felt it was right where I needed to be. 

Since then I was offered my old job back along with other science positions. Here's the thing... I love science. I absolutely LOVE science. Yes. I might be a little bummed that I'm not teaching it next year

BUT

my PASSION is teaching. 

and as long as I am still doing that...

I have a great life. 

:)

binders

Fun Fact...

I LOVE school supplies. 

Like more than normal people.

If I had to be locked in a building for the rest of my life and restaurants were not an option I would choose an office supply store.  I love markers, crayons, binders, tape dispensers, writing pads, academic calendars, whiteboards, colorful paper, big jumbo erasers, composition notebooks, correction tape, desk chairs, desk organization, desks in general!

I. love. it. all.

Which is why today was a good day.

Happy Weekend

Boy and I are off to the farm this weekend for some family fun! 

Have a safe holiday weekend readers

{doesnt my bf make ear surgery look hot?}

Oh and the South Carolina Gamecocks won the College World Series.....

Back to Back titles.

Good Job boys!

Wedding Hankie

This past weekend was the first Tiny Dancer Wedding! I have been close friends with this close group of girls since middle school. In high school we all made the dance team hence the name, Tiny Dancers. In order to bond us even closer together I started a new tradition that will be passed around for years to come.

Announcing the Wedding Hankie. 

I found this vintage (and gorgeous) handkerchief at a local store and embroidered the Bride and Grooms name and wedding date (in their wedding colors). I presented it to the bride at the bridal luncheon with all the Tiny Dancers present. The bride was instructed to pin it under her wedding dress and then pass it along to the next Tiny Dancer at her wedding with the next wedding date embroidered. In the end all of the Tiny Dancers will have carried the hankie on her wedding day with everyones names/dates embroidered. The sentiment brought tiny little tiny dancer tears to the corners of our eyes but it was our mothers who couldn't keep it together.

Who gets it in the end?

Our plan is to force all of our children to become friends and it will then be passed along to the first of our daughters to carry on her wedding day. 

Do you have traditions among your group of friends?

New love of my life

You know what else Im really in to? 

Cheese Fries. 

I cant get enough. Last night I dreamt about eating cheese fries. 

I have written a little note to my current and long term love, the cheeseburger. 

Dear Cheeseburgers,

I know it was love at first taste between us. 

You are one I look forward to seeing everyday. 

I miss you during days apart.  

You know I will always love you

but

 If I were you I'd watch out.

You might quickly be replaced by these 

cheesy

 melt in your mouth

 pretty please

 with bacon on top 

pommes frites

In order to stay number one on my list..try adding bacon to your party. It might help. 

xoxo

la beast

Baseball

Ive been trying to like the sport of baseball for YEARS. I mean.... I like the idea of baseball. Going to the ballpark, eating peanuts, and socializing with friends. I even like little boys in baseball uniforms and will DEFINITELY force my athletic tykes to jump on that bandwagon... but as for the sport itself...well it just bores me. It can go hours without a score. It takes fortyleven years for a play to even happen!

Each summer I say to myself  "By the end of the summer you WILL be a baseball fan". Disappointment annually sets in as I pass another season not an becoming avid fan.

Well. Its finally happened.

Im really in to baseball at the moment. Like really in to it.

I will credit my new found love of the game solely to my sport-loving and recent surgery victim boyfriend of mine. Last week he was bed ridden, post-op, and the only option was the College World Series. I was not initially excited for a week of only baseball games but it helps to have a boyfriend who has the answers to all my questions and knows all the stats and information of almost every team and every player.

This College World Series isn't just any old College World Series for boyfriend. His alma mater, University of South Carolina, entered into the series to defend the title they won last year. And they've made it to the finals again this year. Last night was game 1 of the 3 game series against Florida. I was on the edge of my seat- something new for la beast. So thank you Gamecocks and thank you boy for igniting my new love of baseball.

Lets GO COCKS!! (sorry la gentleman)