6/30- Watchin' the sun bake all of those tourists covered with oil

Weight Loss for the Week: 1lb

This was a pretty good week.  I got in a lot of really good walks. I found a few plans for training for half-marathons to use for guidelines.  I know I said last week that I was going to do the St. Jude half-marathon, but I did not realize that registration had already passed for it. So, my friend and I will be doing the Germantown half-marathon in March.  In the meantime, I am planning on doing the St. Jude 5k and a few other 5ks as well.  I'm still going to keep up with the training program though just because I know it will help in the long run.

I dropped off my contract at SBA on Monday, met some of the teachers, and picked up my MacBook. It feels even more official and awesome now! I can't wait to start prepping my classes and getting my classroom ready for the school year. I know I'm a dork, but I love it.

Tutoring at DSCC was pretty good this week- I actually got to work with some students which was really nice. I added some more to my own resources as well.  I have a feeling that will keep happening, especially when I find out which specific courses I will be teaching at SBA.  I had another fun night at Ashly's- she made some really delicious salmon and I finally got to see Sherlock Holmes- I know I'm like 4-5 years behind the times, but it happens.

I house sat again this weekend which meant I got to lay out by and in the pool a good bit. It was incredibly relaxing and enjoyable, though I did end up with a sunburn by the end of the weekend. It's the price I pay for free access to a pool, I guess.  I was proud of myself there though, I got some groceries instead of take out, and I went for good walks each day.

I mainly stayed at the house relaxing this weekend. I did go out with some teachers from MCHS for dinner at Bosco's last night. It was good to see everyone and check in on what will be happening with all of them in the coming year :)

Now, to reapply the aloe and relax before the week begins again :)

                                         Chillin' in the pool.

                                       Teachers at Bosco's

6/23- Let the stormy clouds chase everyone from the place

Weight Loss for the Week: .5lbs

Big news for the week- I got offered a teaching position at St. Benedict!!! And I accepted!!!  I am so excited to be teaching there- it's a really great school with a lot of activities and technology for the students and teachers.  I get to get my Mac Book on Monday when I take my contract back to them.  I will have fun playing around with it and with the software for my classes (once they finalize what I will be teaching).  I will be teaching English, Theology, or a combination of the two. 

I am so glad I get to enjoy the rest of my summer now.  I started tutoring up at Dyersburg State Community College's Covington campus.  It was a good first week. The other tutors are really friendly and funny, especially my cousin Ashly! I'm getting to look at some really great English resources to use in the future. I have talked with some of the students about their writing, and I'm hoping more writing students start coming in now that the tutoring in underway.

I also enjoyed staying the night at Ashly's.  We had a really nice dinner made by her and Andrew.  Then, we watched Beautiful Creatures. It was pretty good, but Ashly says the book is better, so I will have to read it. 

I have gotten in some really good walks this week, even with the insane heat that always accompanies summers in Memphis.  But, like my stepmom always says, "if you're not sweating, you're not working out hard enough." So, the sweat is good. I'm trying to step it up and add to my weekly mileage since my friend Kerry and I have decided to do the St. Jude half marathon in December. And now that I've told all of y'all, y'all can hold me accountable for it.

I've had a lot of fun this weekend. I went to see Maddie's theater camp's play on Friday. They did poems of Shel Silverstein which I just loved. Afterwards, Memaw, Ashly, Mom and I went for a little snack at The Bistro which was good; it was nice to catch up. Then, I went to dinner and the concert at Levitt Shell with Melissa and her friend Theresa.  We had a really good time and enjoyed the music. I do hope to make it to more of those this summer.  It's awesome to be so close to the concerts :) 

Saturday, I went for a nice long walk. Then, I went to lunch with Cat.  I treated myself to a massage- be jealous. And, after resting up from such an intense day, I went to the Redbird's game with Sunshine.  We ran into Jennifer there as well.  It was a lot of fun, and the Redbird's won! Sunshine and I chilled on the roof deck for a few hours after the game and chatted with other residents which was nice.

I went to see Singin' in the Rain today with Memaw and Ashly. It was a really good production :) 

                                           Yummy dinner at Ashly's.

                                                     Celebratory drinks with Kerry.

 
                                            Levitt Shell Concert.

                                           Redbird's Game with Sunshine.

                                           And Jennifer!    
  

                                            The Super Moon.

Now, resting up some for the week ahead!

6/16- Fathers, be good to your daughters, daughters will love like you do

Weight Loss for the Week- 0lbs

I'm almost totally settled into my apartment now. I've gotten most of the odds and ends I still needed.  MK and her family actually got me the vacuum cleaner off my registry. I was so excited when it came in the mail :) It was great timing too, my apartment needed to be vacuumed by that point. I also finished getting all the practical items off my registry. Now, it's just the fun little gadgets and gizmos left.

I'm still actively working on the job search. I had a follow-up phone interview that went well. I'm still working on applying and all that good stuff though.  Until I get an official offer, I just have to keep on applying and networking.  I'm hopeful though, very hopeful.  Please, keep praying for me, I really appreciate all the prayers, tips, and leads from everyone.

My dad came in town on Friday!!! I hadn't seen him since February.  It was awesome that he was able to make it here for a day.  He and I went for a nice, long walk around my neighborhood- we even happened upon a golf course, so score one for me.  Then, Conor got off work, and we all went to dinner with a few of his friends.  Saturday morning, we had an early Father's Day breakfast before Conor had to go to work. Then, Dad and I went to visit Memaw and another one of his friends before he had to go catch his plane.  I just loved getting to spend time with him.  Hopefully, the next time one of us visits the other it will be for more than just a day or two.  We're due for a real visit I think.

                                          Roses my dad brought me :)

                                          Conor, Dad, and I at Pete and Sam's

Last night, my good friend Melissa invited me over for dinner and movie.  She made us tacos with all the fixin's- so tasty! And I rented the movie Gangster Squad. We had a lot of fun eating, watching the movie, and talking into the wee hours of the morning :)

                                          Delicious meal made by Melissa

Today (and yesterday too), I worked on getting the last real necessities for my apartment. I painted my nightstand. My mom and I went through a lot of the boxes and bags of stuff from Memaw's to see what's mine, hers, and Conor's so that we can organize it all.

I'm doing better with WW and Points again this week since I'm getting more settled and have internet again. I have also been stocking up my kitchen with tasty, healthy treats and meals so that I will stay on track.  And, to help stay on a schedule, I am excited that I will be starting my summer job this week.  I'm tutoring at Dyserburg Community College three days a week. 

Now, to figure out the game plan for tomorrow :)

6/9- I know a place, ain't nobody cryin', ain't nobody worried

Weight Loss for the Week: .5 lbs

Okay, so I've been crazy busy this week. I moved into my new apartment- and I'm loving it! It's a large studio in Midtown. I have been settling into it all this week- and the next few weeks for sure. It's been a little hectic, but not too overwhelming, so that's good.  My only big thing to still figure out is how/when I'm going to hang up all my paintings/pictures.  There are terracotta bricks insulating the walls of my apartment building. That means the regular hammer and nail job isn't going to work.  I'm going to need a drill.  A real, tool guy drill. 

Otherwise, it's been good.  I got all the furniture moved and delivered in a timely fashion. I've been putting everything in its new place. I still have some stuff at home and I'm working on seeing what I can bring over, what needs to be stored in the attic, and what just needs to be donated/trashed. I realized that I have been hoarding for years, so this will not be an easy task. But, I have some free time right now, so I will try to get through as much of it as I can over the summer.

Job wise, I have been applying to plenty of places and am now working on scheduling interviews. I have a few good leads, and I'm very hopeful about those.  Please, keep me in your prayers and let me know if you hear about any openings.  I appreciate all the help and tips I've gotten so far. Y'all are simply amazing.

I had a nice weekend. I've been showing off my new apartment to lots of people- it's like a new toy. I went to an event raising money for Playhouse on the Square on Friday and had a lot of fun chatting with all the different people.  My cousin, her daughter, my grandmother, and I went to lunch at Stone Soup yesterday. We had a good time catching up and making plans for the summer. Last night, I saw the movie The Sapphires. It was very good, I definitely recommend going to see it if you get the chance.  It's about an Aboriginal girls' soul group that tours with the USO during the Vietnam War. It made me laugh, cry, and want to dance.This morning, I went to brunch with a friend- and I got to walk to it since it was just a few blocks from my new apartment.

                                          Sofa and bookshelves.

                                           Kitchen, the appliances and counter tops

                                       Kitchen, the breakfast nook with table and chairs

                                             Bed area

                                                      Dressing closet

                                                     Bathroom

Now, I'm just gearing up for the week ahead. Wish me luck!

6/2- Hold you in his arms, yeah, you can feel his disease

Weight Loss for the Week: 0lbs

This week has been a big week, an emotional week, a busy week.

I am looking for a new teaching position for the fall.  I am not going into details in this public forum about why. I will say that I will miss my students and colleagues greatly, and I hope to find ways to keep in touch.  I truly had a fantastic year with all of them and love them all more than I can explain. I just hope they all know that.

Ok, before the crying happens again, need to stop. If you are in the Memphis/Shelby County area and know of any 7-12 English positions available, please let me know.  I have applied to various schools/districts, but I am definitely open to hearing any and all suggestions.  Many thanks to everyone who has already let me know of places to apply.  I really appreciate all the love and support.

Next big thing for the week- I'm moving into an apartment in Midtown!!!! It is a large studio, total Midtown style.  It's located near a few fabulous friends, plenty of good eats, and fun attractions like the zoo, the Brooks, and a movie theater.  I just know I'm going to love it.  I have been packing like crazy- and seriously wondering about all the crap I've saved since I was a young child.  I mean, really.  Some of it is sentimental, some of it is clearly garbage, and some of it is just plain weird.  Thank goodness my mom will let me store the stuff I still want to keep but have no space for in her attic for the time being.

I have also managed to fit in some fun times this week. My mom took me to the last Grizzlies playoffs game on Monday- had a blast even though they lost. I went to an end-of-the-year dinner after cleaning out my classrooms on Tuesday.  That was a lot of fun, very glad I went.  My friend had her baby boy on Tuesday, and I was able to meet him on Wednesday.  He is beyond precious.  I made it to my first Redbirds game of the season on Wednesday- we won! And I decided that number 7 on the Isotopes team should date me.  He's rather cute.

                                              Here he is!

Started off my weekend by seeing Hangover III with a few friends.  It was good, not as good as the first, but not a bad ending to the trilogy.  Continued with all the packing and applying for most of Saturday.  Then, one of my awesome friends offered to make us dinner- I made dessert.  She decided to make a veggie wrap to rival Bar Louie's.  She nailed it- she surpassed their veggie wrap.  I mean, they should just be thankful she's not interested in being a chef.  My dessert was pretty tasty too- and WW friendly!  It was a frozen chocolate peanut butter pie.

Bomb veggie wrap featuring hummus, pesto, carrots, zucchini, and peppers

                                         Frozen Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie

Today, more packing, so much more packing. I also got a few more essentials I will need for the apartment. I checked in with the movers and the company delivering my new couch.  Now, I just need to square things away with the cable company, but if that has to wait a few days, so be it.

Now, to finish up the last minute packing and enjoy my last night at home.  It's bittersweet, but exciting.

Recipe for Frozen Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie

1 regular pie crust
1 pint Reduced Fat Chocolate Frozen Yogurt
1/2 cup Peanut Butter ( I used the kind w/o sugar and salt)

Heat the peanut butter and the yogurt.  Mix thoroughly.  Pour into pie crust.  Place on flat surface in the freezer for at least an hour and a half.  Enjoy!