Tuesday, March 25, 2014

St. Patrick's Day Parade

We may not dye our river green, but Dublin, Georgia knows how to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in style.

For the entire month of March the town's been decked out in its best green and gold duds, with the celebration culminating in this past weekend's Super Saturday!  From funky floats and fancy dresses to congressman in sweet new rides, here's a look at our very own St. Patrick's Day Parade:
This little munchkin spent the parade shooting bubbles at participants.
Before Saturday, I had no idea there was such a thing as "Sons of Confederate Veterans."
Baby Beauty Queens in their Best Ball Gowns


Have you ever been to a parade where the Piggly Wiggly Mascot made an appearance?
Best Dressed Little Leprechaun

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Life's Mundane Moments Are Just That


Say what now? 
When are you at your worst?  I'll admit it; I'm a control freak…a persistent planner, tethered to the ties my Google Calendars.  So, my crazy face (literally and mentally) usually comes out during life's little hiccups.  I know it's still early, but this week I've already had a few instances that irked me to no end.  The first, when I was hungry.  The second, when I received back talk.


My daily diet rivals that of any good elementary schooler.  Peanut butter sandwiches and Cheerios are my two favorite fixings.  And, I literally can't go more than a few days without indulging in one of my "delicacies."  In an attempt to adultify my cereal though, I usually do add some fresh fruit slices.  Anyways, I went to the grocery store Sunday night, and all the bananas were lime green, not the slightest hint of yellow in sight.  I stood in the produce section for a good five minutes just staring at the bananas.  Finally, I realized my death glare wasn't going to make the bananas brown any faster and settled for strawberries instead.

Then, yesterday morning I was attempting to ask a few questions about our high school's testing calendar and the person I'd been instructed to see retorted back with a "that's not my job."   Literally, that's my least favorite phrase!  Her mood instantly changed mine.  The smile on my face vanished, and my answers clipped to just "yes" or "no" responses.  I couldn't get off the phone fast enough.  Let me clarify a few things here; I'm new to my current post, having only officially received the position in November, so this is my first go around (not as a student) with CRCTs and End of Course Testing.  So, when this 15+ year veteran brushed me off I actually had to bite my tongue.  My mind just kept wandering to education majors I graduated with that are still without full-time positions.  I kept imagining how they'd respond given the same situation, each time assigning them the role of a super hero teacher that never raises their voice and always stays past dismissal time.  Despite our initial dilemmas though, she did eventually direct me to someone else who could help, and I got the whole thing sorted out. 

So, what's the real point of these stories?

It's sad really; in the grand scheme of things, they're both so inconsequential.  I had to have strawberries instead of bananas.  So what?  It may not have been what I originally wanted, but I'm blessed in having the ability to drive my car to the grocery store, pick through a stocked produce section, and have the means to pay for my meal.  And as for the back talk, I'm sure she was just stressed with the day-in and day-out dramas of teaching kiddos.  I know I would be.  And, more than her sassy response, I'm embarrassed with my own.  As a whole, I don't consider myself to be an awful person, but clearly, I can behave like one…I wouldn't want to be judged by my worst hours, so maybe I should extend the same courtesy to others too. 

Don't sweat small stuff.  I've heard those four simple words more times than I can count, but it's finally time I take an added effort in practicing what's been preached.  I've got to realize life's mundane moments are just that, mundane.  Then, maybe the number of hours I spend as my worst self will be far and few between, even if my crazy face doesn't completely disappear. 

Monday, March 10, 2014

23 Things I Know at 23

Before I get started, just know that nearly every advice list for 20-somethings is written by someone sitting in their pajamas, eating leftover Chinese food in their way too tiny for the rent apartment.  For me, it's a big bowl of three different types of Cheerios, but you get the idea...

1) If I could only have one meal for the rest of my life it'd be a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on toasted whole wheat bread.

2) We are all a little weird.

3) TV Land has some pretty rocking shows!  As a child, I used to love sick days because it meant I got to spend the afternoon watching Murder She Wrote and The Dick Van Dyke Show.  And, now they're on Netflix. 

4) Love God. Love people.

5) Except for Gone With the Wind, the book will always be better than the movie.

6) Money makes the world go round.  But, I'd rather have a lifetime of memories than a fat bank account. 

7) My decision to be a vegetarian might be tied with my unwillingness to learn how to cook real meals?

8) Family is important.

9) I'd rather have an awesome night at home with my dog then a shitty night at a bar with a bad date.

10) Somehow, life's become a rat race to out-achieve my peers:  from first jobs and marriage proposals to trendy weekend activities and brunch shots, it's all just one big competition. 

11) That being said…Instagram literally puts a filter on life.  So we should stop judging personal successes by our friends' food porn.

12) You're never too old to enjoy a Disney movie…I mean have you seen Frozen?

13) Life is better with coffee.

14) Gossip is like junk food…it's easy to consume but ultimately leaves us feeling empty. 

15) I'm in no real rush to settle down.  Someday I'll get married, but for now I've got a full Netflix Que.

16) Jeremiah 29:11

17) It's important to know about the world's goings-ons.  So, watch the news, pick up a newspaper or read a blog.

18) Crafting is therapeutic.

19) So is eating cupcakes.

20) Stop over thinking everything!  The light from the sun takes 8.3 minutes to reach earth.  So, if you're taking more than eight minutes to decide on which Starbucks coffee you should have this morning, you're over-thinking it.

21)Pale people who burn easily aren't the only ones who should be wearing sunscreen and a giant beach hat.

22) Growing up Southern is a privilege.  It's more than sweet tea, college football and summers that start in April.  It's being hospitable with a family first mentality and fried dish on the side. 

23) I'm not a finished person.

Thursday, March 6, 2014

24 Grilled Cheese Recipes That'll Make You Wish You Hadn't Given Up Bread For Lent

It's Kindergarten Registration time here at Dublin City Schools, so in between playing with kiddos and answering parent questions, I've had a bit of time to catch up with Pintrest Recipes.  Add in the fact that it's rainy weather, and it's no surprise my mind's been wandering to Grilled Cheese Sandwiches.

With their crisp, buttery outside and goey, melted cheese inside, it's the perfect sandwich, even in its most basic form.  But, the iconic American classic has received quite the makeover as of late. 

So, here you go:  24 Grilled Cheese Recipes That'll Make You Want to Wish You Hadn't Given Up Bread For Lent

1) Green Apple and Aged Cheddar Grilled Cheese 
Toasted Bread and Mac+Cheese...Talk About a Piece of Perfection
Basically, it's a grilled cheese dessert
Who needs a birthday cake when you can eat funfetti icing in grilled cheese form?
Even if tomatoes and cheese weren't a delicious combination, I'd devour these cute sandwiches just because they're tiny!
I'd disregard the bacon, but besides that, this sandwich sounds awesome!
Can breakfast get any better?
You don't even need bread for this delicious sandwich!
Guacamole makes everything better!

And...24) The Classic

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Cheerio to Cheerios

I have a new found addiction that I just can't seem to quit…Cheerios.  I don't know if you've been down the breakfast aisle recently, but the classic cereal your grandma's snacking on has a new twist.  Forget the Honey Nut flavor, there's now 14 varieties of Cheerios!

It all started when I tried the Apple Cinnamon.  One spoonful, and I was hooked.  Usually, I'd just keep buying the same flavor, but on the back of each box are suggested mixing combinations.  For instance, they recommend adding Cinnamon Burst Crunch to Apple Cinnamon, creating an "Apple Crisp."  Or, you could add Frosted Cheerios to Chocolate for a "Chocolate Cake" taste.  My favorite though is anything that's mixed with the Multi Grain Peanut Butter Cheerios.  Fast forward six weeks, and I'm now the proud owner of seven cereal boxes.
See, I wasn't exaggerating when I said seven boxes. 
At this point, there's no telling how many handfuls of O's I've eaten in the name of research.  I feel like a Pokemon Master trying to catch all the flavors.  So far, I've tried them all except for the Dulce de Leche Cheerios.  They must be good though since I've already searched 10+ grocery stores and still can't seem to find them.

Basically, Cheerios are the best quick breakfast (or lunch or dinner) option around.  But beware, once you start it's hard to stop!

And if you're wondering the 14 members that make up the Cheerio family, here they are:
-Cheerios
-Honey Nut Cheerios
-Honey Nut Cheerios Medley Crunch
-Multi Grain Cheerios
-Apple Cinnamon Cheerios
-Banana Nut Cheerios
-Cinnamon Burst Cheerios
-Chocolate Cheerios
-Dulce de Leche Cheerios
-Multi Grain Cheerios Peanut Butter
-Multi Grain Cheerios Dark Chocolate Crunch
-Frosted Cheerios
-Fruity Cheerios
-Yogurt Burst Cheerios

So, go ahead and try a few combinations for yourself.  Then, tell me which is your favorite.

Friday, February 14, 2014

The Glory Days of Valentines Past

Candy hearts, huge balloons, fuzzy teddy bears, hugs, and kisses…all the things that make Valentines Day wonderful, right?  If you're in a perfect relationship, the day may bring you nothing but joyful memories, but what happens if V-Day rolls around and you're contentedly by yourself?

I'm one of the 92 million single people living in the United States, and, honestly, I can't complain. 
Sure, it'd be great if someone else was buying the bag of chocolate kisses I've devoured today, but I'm a grown up with a credit card.

Don't worry this isn't one of those "woe is me" posts.  I'm certainly not opposed to Valentines Day; it's actually one of my favorite holidays.  I just wish it wasn't so focused on couples.  

Remember the good old day of elementary school?  Everyone gave cute cards and candies to each boy and girl in their class.  Back then, it wasn't labeled a couples day; Valentines Day was just a day for friendship.
Isn't he just the cutest?  I love the valentines mailbox too! 

 Today, I was lucky enough to "time-travel" back to the glory days of Valentines past.  From 9am onward, I attended three school dances and 40+ classes parties.  I was there to witness elementary kiddos opening Spider Man valentines from their secret crush as well as the sugarcoma that comes with eating four cupcakes, chips, candy and fruit punch in a 20 minute period.  I got more hugs than a girl could ever hope for, and a few fellas even asked me to be their valentine.
He asked her to dance; then, she asked him to dance.
I asked, and yes they are boyfriend/girlfriend. 
His suit...Her Hello Kitty tutu! 

Take a look inside a 2014 Valentines Day Loot Bag. 
So excited by his Valentines! 

I guess what I'm trying to say is, regardless of my relationship status, I've been showered with love.  This Valentines Day couldn't have been any better, and all it took was a few sticky-handed hugs.  

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Sitting Pretty at 23


Taylor Swift's "22" can no longer be the song I turn to when I'm looking for a song about my age.  Nope, I'm another year older…I'm sitting pretty at 23.  As I look back at the past 12 months, it's one that's been filled with quite a few milestones.  I graduated from college, left New York, got my first real job, bought my own car, and even had a power bill be put in my name; I guess you could say 22 was a year of changes.  But like all good years, 22 only had 365 days.  


23 has a lot to live up to, so I decided I'd give it a jump start by spending my first few days sipping mimosas and roasting s'mores in the North Georgia Mountains.

When we decided to leave our snuggly warm cabin...


Our first outing was to Anna Ruby Falls.  Located near Helen's Unicoi State Park, it only costs $3 to visit these wondrous water walls.  For those of y'all who aren't into the whole hiking thing, this is the site for you.  The trail is only 1/2 a mile long.  And, when you get back to the bottom be sure to check out the gift shop.  It's filled with crafty finds from local artists in addition to your typical t-shirts and bumper stickers.

I'm pretty sure I'm the worst pet mommy in the world.  Dublin was supposed to get snow last week; when we didn't, I made it my mission to make sure Roo got her picture taken in the "Devil's Dandruff."  She was not a happy girl, but doesn't she look cute? 

Mandatory Mother-Daughter selfie with the falls in the background! 
After that we visited Babyland General Hospital.  I know, you're probably thinking why would a now 23 year old want to visit a Cabbage Patch Kids Playland?  I was right there with you until I walked through the glorious doorway that is BLGH.  Dressed in scrubs, LPNs (Licensed Patch Nurses) greet each guest, revealing great photo-op spots and dishing on their favorited doll design.  I was never much of a Cabbage Patch kiddo; American Girls were more my thing.  But, it took some serious restraint not to snatch up one of their babies born on my birthday!  Maybe they put something in the air?  Anyways, I'd say if you're a parent (or just someone staying in Helen who's looking for something to do) make a trek to see the cabbage patch for yourself.

Isn't her hair just the cutest. 
Obviously, this was a post-visit pictures.  Hence the goofy-grin and super excited expression about dolls. 
So, what we've learned here is I may be one year older but I'm obviously still a child at heart.