Remember how yesterday I was suppose to be getting crafty and making an insert and buying an awesome bag to create an epic camera bag? Yeah, I failed. My mom joined me on my little adventure and we search through the racks at Ross and TJ Maxx on the last Sunday before Christmas. Luckily, we didn’t buy anything at Ross, so we go to skip the lines. I found a lot of great purses and bags….that cost upwards of 60 bucks. I didn’t WANT to spend that much because the whole POINT was to save money and be crafty at the same time. This whole thing started because my friend, Sarah, who happened to be a photographer as this AMAZING Kelly Moore bag from www.kellymoorebags.com.

And I was like OMG I love you. But then I read the price tag and I was like..Hmmm I am not a photographer, can I REALLY justify spending that much right now? Answer. NO. no. NO. SIGH, but the inside of the bag is PURPLE. NO SHAUNA! NO! So I went hunting for a crafty  way to get what I want at a cheaper price. Well…then I found this:

Retro. Green. AND just so happens to be a camera bag. OH YEAH. It’s less than HALF of what the other one costs and well….maybe…even…..a little bit…cuter? I take it back Kelly Moore! I Take it back! But this one is definitely cute and sassy. This lovely back happens to come from Jo Totes. Go look at all their cute bags!

So wondering through Ross and TJ with my Dirty Chair from Dutch, my mom and I are beginning to see that this was no cheap endeavor and finally mom my looks at me and goes, “You really just need to get that other bag.” Awww crap, but then I can’t be crafty!! I even went on Youtube and watched tutorials on how to do a blind stitch for the project! But seriously….how cute is that bag?

So I guess I will just have to find another way to be crafty. Like perhaps by making a cover for my camera strap? Hmm…. I will work on that.

Let me just start by saying, I love my life. I am so blessed and have so many wonderful things going on in my life right now, so when you read this post please do not hear ANYTHING but that.

1. Say hello to my Christmas Present.

He is only the cutest thing I have ever seen! It seems like my entire life I have wanted a pug. I keep telling Derrick, it feels like a dream. I have to say goodbye to that sweet face each morning, and then I come back again and get reminded that he actually DOES exist and get to be with him all night. He is such a joy…although…he is totally rotten as well. His name is Tank (although he usually goes by Tankers, Mr. Tankster, or Tankarama) and he is just about 10 weeks old now. He has grown so much in the past 2 weeks we have had him. Being so little he can’t go on walks yet because he doesn’t have all of his shots, so we have to try and run all his energy off with playing fetch inside, tug-o-war, and sprinting through the house with him nipping at our heels. When he is not being a wild man, he absolutely loves to snuggle. He curls up on my shoulder and snores while he sleeps. He even has tons of crazy dreams. Some time he does mini yips and barks, runs and even chomps his teeth in his sleep. I could write all day about him. He LOVES every single thing he has ever met and wants to play instantaneously, which isn’t always what, say our cats, what to do with him. So I like to say he is a little socially awkward right now. The next two weeks we are going to start doing some training with him. So THAT should be interesting. Luckily I have a dog whisperer for a husband. =)

2. I absolutely LOVE and ADORE my job. I keep saying that I must be the luckiest girl alive. I get to teach at the high school, in the CLASSROOM that I went to Spanish class in. I love going to work everyday. Don’t get me wrong, there is stress. First year of teaching is crazy. Especially when I have to develop a whole new curriculum, but it is so much fun. Plus, everyone says if you make it to Winter Break, the rest is cake. WOOT! We made it! Derrick is enjoying his job as well. Logos is going well and he currently has 19 students, which is ALMOST full time. We are both very fortunate to have jobs and we are just so happy to not only have teaching jobs, but ones we are enjoying.

3. We love where we live. Last year I felt like we really struggled. We lived in that yucky town house, in Ashland, with absolutely no money, no free time, and wow so much school work. This year we have HEAT. We live in this cute little house that is just perfect for us. It was built in the 40s so its definitely old, but it really is perfect for us. Derrick uses the word quaint. It has it’s quirks, but we make the best of them, like the bathroom with a toilet for a doorstop. But sincerely, we could not have a better place to live right now. We have an awesome gas stove that we use all the time and it costs almost nothing to run. Last year, we had no heat. So we bought a wall plug in tower one and electric blankets. The crappy little wall plugin one cost us so much to run and it only heated… well… ME. Not even the two of us. We live a mile away from my family, a few minutes away from his family, five minutes (MAYBE!) away from my classroom and we live in TOWN. None of this driving to Medford every single day nonsense. We even have a big enough living room for a REAL Christmas Tree this year. We have a big backyard for Rebel and now we have a little monster running around the house terrorizing the kitties, Rebel, and let’s face it, us too. I am so thankful for the opportunity to live here, with such a wonderful landlord, in such a wonderful location, and with such a wonderful gas stove! (Can you tell I HATE being cold?)

4. My bestfriend, Heather, told me about this great deal she found through Southwest Airlines. They did this promo where if you got their credit card where you earn points they gave you 50,000 points. WHOA. So I looked into it because I was like, “Okay seriously what’s the catch?” Well, you had to pay the annual fee. Whoop-dee-doo! 69 Bucks. And you had to keep it for at least 8 weeks until the points went through. Well, I just paid 69 bucks I might as well keep it the full year right? So you could use those points to buy plane tickets sure, but  what is even COOLER is that you can buy GIFTCARDS as well. I literally just ordered 600 dollars worth of AMAZON GIFTCARDS for 69 bucks. I know right?! I am freaking out too. There were all sorts of giftcards to choose from, but I figured since you could buy giftcards or anything really on amazon.com I would just throw in the whole lot there. So my wonderful husband was like.. WHOA we just got money on gift cards, lets use it to buy xmas gifts and maybe something AWESOME for ourselves for xmas. So he came up with an idea and I came up with an idea and we DEBATED. Mr. Skinner naturally picked the cool techy thing: an Ipad 2. Mrs. Skinner went for something that they would never probably get or save up for: a Canon EOS Rebel T3 DSLR Camera. So both of us entered the debate with our own special ideas, he told me his idea and I was like, “I KNEW you would pick that!” Then I rather sheepishly threw out my idea knowing the Ipad 2 was a way cooler option. To my crazy surprise, Mr. Skinner suddenly and absolutely agreed. WHAT!? Did he seriously just turn down an IPAD 2? So after about 5 minutes of me trying to convince him that he must be losing his mind, it was decided. We are going to get a camera. Now Derrick has never shown much interest in photography, but with the idea of a new gadget coming he is. Which I am perfectly happy with. I am CRAZY excited and found a wicked awesome deal on one through Amazon. So now we just have to wait until Monday or Tuesday when out giftcards should be here and we are set. PLUS, we bought some cool xmas gifts for the parents with the awesome money too, and added what we WOULD have spent on xmas gifts to the saving account. WOOT! So now, we are putting expenses on that card to earn more points. We have NO intention of ever hitting 50,000 pts again, but its the little victories that count. So, Heather, no need for xmas gifts this year… I think you have done enough. =) 

5. So even before Tank, I was trying to convince Derrick we should get a pug this summer and then he surprised me with Tankster. Well, with my scheming I was already trying to get stuff together for a pug. I was following awesome pug blogs (like the Daily Puglet) and (I am ALMOST embarrassed to say this..) I even had a list of MUST HAVES for when we got a pug. I have edited and changed the list already, but NOW I get to make a new list…..things for a camera as well. But seriously, can I talk about my favorite blog for a moment?  The Daily Puglet is written in the view point of a pug. His owner is a professional photographer and the whole thing is the cutest thing I have ever seen. It seamlessly intertwines two things I love, photography and pugs. Make sure you go take a peek at the site.  Okay back to Amazon… you know the thing I WAS talking about before I got distracted by pugs? So my mom asked me last night what on earth I want for christmas, other than my pug obviously. Well, Mom, I will send you my Amazon wish list to give you some ideas. Obviously, you don’t have to get the stuff ONLY online. Use it for ideas. =)

6. SPEAKING of Amazon. I found some AMAZING bags for women on there. Like camera bags that are cute AND stylish. I know, I am blowing your mind right now.  But I also found out they are SUPER expensive! So before blowing $89, I am going to try and “Skinner-rig” one of my own. I found this AMAZING tutorial on how to make an insert for any bag or purse that holds and protects cameras and lenses. Looks SUPER easy. Guess what I am doing tomorrow? 1. Going to Ross/TJ Maxx to find the cutest bag. 2. Going to Joannes to pick out super cute interior fabric and buy supplies. 3. Making an awesome camera bag. Super stoked. I will keep you posted on how it goes. OH P.S. Davey Fimbres, if you are reading this, can you PLEASE teach me how to use the DSLR when it arrives? I have been going through this guide online, but I am going to need to chat with someone who has field experience and happens to hang out with me like…a lot. WOOT!

7. Hooray for having TOO MUCH time on my hands to be able to update, write a novel of a blog and PLAN to write again. I LOVE Winter Break. =)

It may be almost time for every student to head back to school, but I am completely enjoying my last weekend. Monday I will be going into the school, but today and probably most of tomorrow, I am going to relax and enjoy. Myself and every other teacher stressed last week putting together our classrooms. Putting together your first classroom can be a little scary, overwhelming and stressful. It’s also a lot of fun!

This weekend has been just amazing considering this last week was crazy insane! Today was just perfect! We slept in! What a treat! Then we went for a long walk. Like a 3 mile walk. It wasn’t too hot today so it was actually enjoyable! Then we went to Winco, which for me can be a very stressful experiment. It seems no matter what time of any day I go there it is utterly completely jammed PACKED. Surprisingly, it wasn’t too painful this time. I put Derrick in charge of the list, and I steered the cart. We were the most dynamic grocery shopping duo. Not only did we get everything on our list, we didn’t STRAY from our list once and we were in-and-out of there in no time! It was pretty awesome.

When we got home we hung out in the backyard with Rebel and threw the ball. He loves to chase that darn ball! Derrick finally added a way for us to open our gate from the front yard. That’s pretty amazing because previously we had to walk through the house to get to our backyard, which really isn’t a big deal unless you lock yourself out of the house and need to try to break in to your own house.

The night ended with a terrible Oregon Football Game, but who cares? We ate awesome bleu cheese burgers and some awesome cucumber salad that I made. And while we were enjoying good food and a crappy game, Derrick was perusing Craigslist and stumbled upon an exercise bike for $25. It looked like it was in perfect condition and when Derrick called, he found out that it was the guy right across the street from us! He went over and the guy even helped carry it across the street! Its a really nice one and when Derrick looked it up, they sell new for over $1300!!! It’s in really great condition and we are stoked. Plus its tucks nicely away into our closet. Tonight while watching an episode of Glee, I biked. =) Pretty awesome.

Anyway, today has been wonderful. Absolutely wonderful. Tomorrow is a cleaning day, but I hope it is just as fabulous! Hope you are having a great weekend too!!

Today I will just make a quick post because it is late… but a post indeed.

NUBES! I am so thankful for clouds! they brought me so much joy today. It was a cool day full of clouds and it was such a joy to have a break from the heat!

I am also happy to have finished my LAST CLASS for my MAT Program. =)

Have anything good that brought you joy today?

Well, I already had a joy this morning that I feel like I MUST share! Last time my sister-in-law came to town she told me about her new favorite coffee drink, the Dirty Chai. Now it SOUNDS horrible. Dirty? But it is great! I wanted to get a coffee this morning, but my stomach was feeling a little sensitive so I was going to get a Chair, when I remembered Brittany’s recommendation. So I ordered it at Dutch all worried they would have no idea what I was talking about, but they totally knew! Needless to say, I really liked it.

I will post more throughout the day!

Today I am super stoked on my Flash Drive that is a little pig. Have you seen it?

The flash drive part that you plug into the computer is connected to the head of the pig and the body of the pig is the cap. So when it is not plugged in it is the whole pig! It is ONLY the cutest thing. I named him Hamlin so when you plugged it in the folder for it is name Hamlin as well.  Even his NAME makes me smile. HAMlin. Hee hee. I have a red and black flash drive that i put on my NMHS school keys, but geez, I have to find ways to use this little porker at work! =)

OH, can I add another one? Today, I was having one of those afternoons where nothing quite worked out like I was hoping. I was being a Negative Nancy because I couldn’t find anything I needed for class, I didn’t have time to shower because I was looking for stuff and not finding it, I put my shirt on backwards (and didn’t realize that until I was walking into class!) and I was just frustrated! Then we are sitting in class doing an activity and my friend Sean asks my Husband, Derrick, what he wrote down for something that helps him de-stress and Derrick said, “Calling you’re mom.” Everyone at the table was SO SHOCKED. Ever though Derrick was completely joking he hardly ever is so bold! Sean was so stunned! I laughed so hard at the table that I cried! Big Giant Tears rolled down my face! I have never laughed so hard at a “Mama” joke but, wow, today it really made me laugh and set my afternoon back up on the positive.

So recap, You’re Mama jokes and a little piggy flashdrive are what is making me smile today!

What has made you smile today?

I am so thankful for quiet moments with my husband. Sitting in front of the campfire late in the night silently watching my husband play with the campfire was just perfect. Seeing the Seared Sweatshirt Hood afterwards happened to bring a good chuckle too! I should take a picture of it! He literally has a hole in his hood. Good Job Bubba….ya dork!

I have to add one more this one today. I love the fresh crisp morning air. Now don’t get me wrong, I HATE being cold. But I love waking up in a briskly cold ten in the morning all snuggled up in my sleeping bag and extra blanket, then crawling out of my cocoon and wrapping a blanket around me to sit next to a warm fire. I think that is my utmost favor part of camping, the cool brisk mornings.

What joy is making you smile today?

I went camping this weekend. It was so amazing. I have never been camping with my husband, Derrick. When I was a kid, my family used to go camping for a week at a time down at Shasta Lake with at least two other families. I have solely positive memories about every experience from mom toasting the best golden brown marshmallows to the smell of the campfire each night. I even have positive thoughts towards the memories of laying in a pitch black tent and hearing the critters sniffing the tent outside, but not wanting to wake up my parents! And that is saying something, because I am the biggest scared-i-cat alive! Needless to say I still am. Just ask my husband! Haha!

This weekend, I was able to let my phone die. Not worry about emails, text, calls, facebook and whatever else can be found on an Android HTC Evo. I posted a little message on Facebook so that my mom wouldn’t freak out if she could not get a hold of us, but WOW! You might be one of those people that has the complete pleasure to disconnect yourself from the world often. I am not one of those people. I have never done that before. Having everything available on my phone makes the virtual world far too accessible to disconnect from. It usually brings me quite a bit of anxiety actually, but not this time. It was so wonderful. I could not believe it. I may even have to do it more often just because. I left Charleston, OR refreshed and ready for the world.

Now my life is a busy one. And lately, I have been doing a lot of focusing on the negative. I focus on stress, school, my ever-expanding lists of to do, things I do not have time to do and my seemingly never clean house. Naturally, I have been getting pretty overwhelmed. My poor husband has had to deal with my wrath and tears. But see, the thing is, I don’t have any real reason to be freaking out or so negative. My life is really headed in the right direction and I have just too much to be thankful for. So, for the next 30 days, I will be posting once a day to tell you what little joy I am thankful that day. This will be really good for me, and I am hoping to train myself again to focus on the positive. During my stressful time of the MAT Program, I have some how gotten on the Negative Nancy track. And if your name is Nancy, please forgive me. I do know that not all Nancy’s are negative. So are you ready? Let’s focus on the joys in our lives. If you would like to challenge yourself, you are welcome to comment on each day’s post to include your daily joy as well. Actually, I would love that. =) So join me!

I am going to come back in a moment and post some pictures from camping! =)

Here are the pictures I promised!