A Little Blog Tour...

Last week, the lovely Ashley from A Party of Four sent me an e-mail and asked me to participate in a blog tour with her!  Sure, I haven't been the best blogger since school started up again, but how could a girl say no to an opportunity like that!  (Plus, since I haven't been blogging much, I've got ideas lined up....)  The topic of this particular tour is My Writing Process.

1) What am I working on?
Well, I'm actually working on how to find time to blog, work, go to the gym, and take care of house hold chores.  So far, I've got the work and gym thing down.  In other words, I have a long way to go.  BUT I do have some posts in mind for this week (which I plan to write after this post).  I finished two books recently that I want to review.  I want to write about my most recent Stitch Fix, Seasons in PA, and a few other ideas.

2) How does my work differ from others of its type/genre?
It's different because it's me writing it and not someone else.  I certainly don't claim to be great at blogging/writing, and I don't think I'm better than anyone.  This is just my little corner of the internet, and I like interacting with the friends I've made here. :)

3) Why do I write what I do?
I started this blog to share recipes I've tried in my kitchen.  My ultimate goal is to document how I make things so I can look them up here later.  I often need to tweak recipes to suit what I have on hand or to make it work for me.  So why keep looking up the recipe when I've documented how I do it on my blog.  I share book reviews because I love reading, and I might as well share my thoughts about books I've read.  Anything else that I share is simply because I want to.

4) How does your writing process work?
I would use the term "writing process" VERY loosely about what I do here on this blog.  I'm going to say the only part of my "process" is that I have a list on my Reminders app on my iPhone.  If I have an idea for something I want to share with all of you, I make sure I write it down.  Then I just open up blogger, and get to work.

Now for the tour...

I asked 3 other ladies to join me on this blog tour.  Even if they don't write a tour post, I highly recommend that you check out their blogs!  They are three blogs that I always look forward to reading!  (And I chose to list them alphabetically by blog name so there's no favoritism here.  If you've been around here for awhile, you know how much I love ABC order...)

First up is Kristin from Kristin's kNook.  Kristin is an Army Wife, and she and her husband (who is also named Scott!) currently live in Colorado.  I actually know Kristin in real life because she used to be a substitute teacher in the school where I teach.  Kristin is a lifestyle blogger who shares yummy dessert recipes, book reviews, and posts about life in general.  She also has a fun link-up on Thursdays called "Stuff & Things".  It's a great link up because it can be totally random thoughts on your mind or a themed post about random stuff on your mind.  It's all up to you! :)  I love reading Kristin's blog for her fun posts and sarcasm.

Next is Sarah from Life as Always.  Sarah is a new mom to a beautiful baby boy.  She and her husband live near Seattle and are HUGE Seattle Seahawks fans.  Sarah is also a lifestyle blogger who writes about life as a mom, book reviews, the Seahawks, and the fun adventures she has with her family.  (Seriously, they went to Hawaii this summer!!).  Like me, she's figuring out how to balance blogging with the changes in her life, but I love reading all of her posts!

Last, but certainly not least, is Elizabeth from The Young Retiree.  Elizabeth is also a military wife.  Her husband, Gene, is in the Navy, and they are currently stationed in Okinawa!  Like Kristin and Sarah, I would consider Elizabeth to be a life style blogger.  With their recent move, she has been sharing LOTS of fun adventures in Okinawa.  From foods and drinks they've tried to places that they're discovering, there's never a shortage of excitement on her blog.  I'm also a huge fan of the Vlogs she posts.  Usually, these videos include her and Gene trying something new.  I always find myself laughing out loud at their interactions and *sometimes* facial expressions when they try something new!

To Stitch Fix or Not?

I got my first Stitch Fix in July.  The box had pretty great stuff in it, but not everything fit perfectly or was worth the price to me.  I got a top that I did actually love, and I was excited to get my next one in September.

To say that I was disappointed with my second Stitch Fix would be an understatement.

I kind of liked this dress.  It would be great for a night out on the town (which doesn't happen often), but the top was weird.  Out.

I almost liked this dress, too.  With the curved and split front, it was definitely a "not without tights or leggings" dress in terms of school.  And the opening at the top meant I would NEED a cami underneath to wear to work.  Out.

I only threw on this maxi skirt because I obviously needed to be wearing some sort of bottom with the shirt.  The shirt is cute, and I actually ended up buying it.  However, it's a simply jersey-type fabric, and I probably could've found something like it cheaper elsewhere.

I also liked this tank.  It was a pretty print and looked good under my favorite blazer.  I almost kept it.  In fact, I had sealed up my return bag, when I realized that I could NOT justify the price for a tank top.  So I opened my return bag and tossed it in.  Out.

This fix also included earrings, which were ok, but again, not for the price.  I think I changed my profile for them not to send me accessories.  Both of their accessories so far have been fails for me.

I am due for my third Stitch Fix at the end of this month.  I have decided that I'm going to give it one last try.  The process IS pretty fun.  I like getting a box of stuff to try on, but most of the things cost WAY more than I would EVER pay for something at a store unless I absolutely loved it.  I got something from this one simply because I would've been out $20 if I didn't.  

If they don't step it up this month, I'm out.  

Has anyone out there had success with Stitch Fix?

Music Monday: Workout Playlist

It hit me this evening that I really have missed everyone here in blog land!  I've been doing my best to keep up with reading and commenting on YOUR blogs, but I've missed interacting with you here, too!  Luckily, this post came to me rather quickly.

I've been doing well with going to the gym after work.  I manage to get there at least three times a week, which is a HUGE improvement from....well....never.  (Or the one time a week that I stayed after school for an hour for Zumba, which isn't all year long.)  I'll be honest, that I'm pretty much sick of the music I have on my iPod right now (and I have approximately 800+ songs)*.  I did make a specific playlist of upbeat and/or motivating songs to listen to at the gym.

*I am so sick of my music, that when I got an offer from Goodreads.com to get a free download of Eat, Pray, Love with a 30-day free trial of Audible, I took the chance.  I was skeptical about listening to a book, but I'm LOVING it!  I started listening on my way to work on Friday, and I was actually sad when I got to work.  That's saying a lot because I hate being in the car.  So the fact that I wanted to keep driving around really says something about this...

I have 78 songs on my Workout playlist.  I won't list them all for you because that would be boring.  I WILL, however, put my playlist on shuffle and share the first 10 songs I get...

1. "Hot Blooded" by Foreigner
2. "Teenage Dream" by Katy Perry
3. "Genie in a Bottle" by Christina Aguilera
4. "Barracuda" by Pat Benetar
5. "The Edge of Glory" by Lady Gaga
6. "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey
7. "Hey Mickey" by Toni Basil
8. "My Life Would Suck Without You" by Kelly Clarkson
9. "Good Girl" by Carrie Underwood
10. "Sweet Like Cola" by Lou Bega

As a bonus, I also have "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor (from Rocky).  It's strange how I suddenly pick up speed on the elliptical when that comes on...haha

Do you have a workout playlist?  What songs motivates you?  Anything you're really loving that I should download!?

 Also, swap participants, don't forget to send your packages out by Friday, October 3rd!!  I got my shopping done and packages ready to go out over the weekend!!

So sorry...

This will be brief.

I am here today to let you know that I am still alive.

Yes, yesterday's post about The 3rd Annual Great Pumpkin Swap was scheduled.....before school started.  Did you sign up yet???  What are you waiting for??

I am really struggling to get back into the swing of things with teaching, going to the gym, and life.

Then I got a cold.

Which is another reason why this is brief.  As I write this, it is about T-minus 5 minutes until I go take some NyQuil and go to bed.

I promise that once I get the hang of all of this, I will come back to tend this little blog of mine.

I hope you are all well.

Before I go, I am so sorry for...

...neglecting my little corner of the internet.

...being behind on reading YOUR blogs.  I love all of you, and I'm trying.  I swear.

...this pathetic excuse for a post. ;)

I'm NOT sorry for plugging the swap again....go sign up.  Now! :)

The 3rd Annual Great Pumpkin Swap

Oh friends, we are well on our way to fall, and that means that it's time for The 3rd Annual Great Pumpkin Swap!!

My friend, Kristin from Kristin's kNook, and I are teaming up again this year to host this super fun fall swap!  I LOVE doing swaps.  Thanks to this swap, I've met some great ladies: Casey from Everyday Adventures and Rachel from The Ross Family.  I can't wait to "meet" someone else this year!!

So here's how this will work:

1. Fill out the form to sign up for the swap!  (Sign-ups end at 11:59 PM EST on Saturday, September 20th).
2. By Monday, September 22nd, you will get an e-mail from me with your swap partner.
3. Once you know your partner, please make contact within 48 hours (by Wednesday, September 24th) to get to know a bit more about each other!
4. Spend $15-$20 (plus shipping) to put together a fun package for your partner.
5. Mail your package on or before Friday, October 3rd.
6. Link up with us on Friday, October 17th to share your swap goodies!

Easy!  And SUPER fun!!  I hope you'll join us! :)  Just fill out the form below!
(And you do need to scroll in the form to get to the submit button.)

Book Review: The Fault in Our Stars

This is officially the last book I was able to read on my summer vacation.  :(  It's tragic.  I still have quite a long list of books I want to read, and I hope that I can do a better job of finding time to read during this school year!

Here's the synopsis from Goodreads.com:

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed reading this book. I actually finished it in a couple of days. The Fault in Our Stars brought tears to my eyes. I feel that an author has done his or her job when your emotions flow! I was able to connect with Hazel and follow her on her journey. 

I bought this book with the intention of adding it to my classroom library because I had heard students talk about it in the past. I will NOT be adding it, though, there is content that I do not find appropriate for 6th grade students, and I will leave those decisions up to their parents. 

I did find that Hazel and Augustus are perhaps too smart or wise for their years. They do seem like adult versions of teenagers, quoting difficult material, and being almost philosophic. I'm not saying it's not possible, I'm just saying it's not quite like any teenagers that I've even known! 

I would certainly recommend this book, though, and I would like to see the movie! 

View all my reviews

Music Monday: Birthday Edition

Happy Labor Day!!

Tomorrow is my birthday!

A couple weeks ago, I shared the Top 5 hits from the year I started Kindergarten.  Today, I thought it would be fun to celebrate my birthday by sharing the Top 5 hits from the year I was born: 1982.

Ugh.  If you're doing your math, that means that I will be 32 tomorrow.

#5 "Centerfold" by J. Geils Band


#4 "Ebony and Ivory" by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder


#3 "I Love Rock N' Roll" by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts


#2 "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor


# "Physical" by Olivia Newton-John


Those are definitely some good songs from 1982! :)

What song was #1 the year YOU were born??