Coffee CubBuster

Finally got my student teaching placement! I will be starting tomorrow morning at Simpson Middle School . I'm so pumped to get right there in the hormonal, body odored, confused, and cognitively developing action. Say a prayer that I can really be used in these kids lives, and that I stay on top of my nightly grad work while waking up early for life as a thirteen year old again--- I wouldn't go back to 7th grade for anything! Also, as your true Coffee CubBuster, I threw together the best little Frappe beverage the other day. There was some left over coffee in the pot which was obviously cold. Soooo, I decided to invent a quick frothy treat. Since this was a quick invention, I didn't have time to actually measure stuff out. Here's what I think it amounted to: 4 cups of cold coffee 2 cups of ice 2 cups of milk 1/4 a cup of chocolate syrup 1 cup of cool whip*  (this makes it frothy on the top-a must!) The best creations are those spontaneous ones! From my cup to...

We are only 30 days away from the most monumental day of the entire calendar year. This day is one that may not necessarily signify its purpose, but it gives us a general time frame of which we can expect the start of.....apple-bobbing, pumpkin lattes-drinking, colorful mountain-viewing, crisp coolness-feeling, air-changing, mood-altering, hay-riding, gourde-carving, football-watching, turkey-eating, beauty-reveling, spices-smelling, bonfire-dancing, campground-making, leaf pile-jumping, amazing gift of Fall! Mark your calendars folks. It may creep in weeks before, tease for a day or two before it return, or truly last, but September 23rd is the first day of Autumn, and I CAN'T WAIT!!!  I really think we should take a vote.... who thinks it should be a national holiday? I do! This video is cute, but kind of creepy how the guy with the rake seems to be trying to really bury his children!

So there has been a hold up in the placement office, and thus I still haven't begun student teaching. I do have the first day of fall semester this evening, and hopefully will get more info on where I'll be placed then. In the meantime, why not make some lemonade out of those lemons! After church yesterday, I began to mull over the fact that I have had the same next door neighbors (here at my rents place) for the past 16 years, and I have NEVER met them. Never introduced myself, never borrowed an egg, never even apologized for all the days I blasted N'Sync on my awesome boom box for all to enjoy. I mean there shouldn't be any apology needed for that one. Who doesn't rock out to Tearin up my Heart ? I digress.... I really felt bad about not saying hello to the sweet old couple I have come to see from time to time in their yard. So I decided some baking was in order. I found a recipe for a banana coffee chocolate chip bread. However, I didn't have ripe bananas s...

There's nothing like getting together with old friends to reminisce on your bad hair cuts, "mean girls" lunch room incidences, freezing out your college roommate stories (in your two by four of a room), and taking modeling pictures amongst your BFF's Archie Comic collection. Yes, that last one is absolutely true. It is with such reminiscence that accompanies a grand zip code alteration as with my dear long-time friend Alyssa. Alyssa and I met in the trenches of elementary school. No matter where life has created separate routes in our paths, we have always been able to come back together as if nothing has changed. She is a true blessing. I am so excited to see Alyssa venture out to the Big Apple for her next big chapter in life. She will take with her a Masters degree in social work, an enthusiastic and compassionate personality, and many many good memories and best wishes from all who know and love her. Can't wait to visit Lyss! Love you girl! (L-R) Laure...

Matthew and I went to visit my friend Anna and his friend Colin this weekend in Charleston. We've both been to the downtown area, but I couldn't wait to hang out with Anna and Chris (her bf) and see where they're living in Mount Pleasant, SC. Although it was a really short trip, it was great to see my old roomie, lay on the beach, and just catch up with friends. Chris, I want a re-match in golf when I come back-- I was just off my game that night!  Thanks for a great time guys and thanks for all the yummy food! Miss you already! Good luck starting school Anna! Love you!

So before I have even sipped on any type of glorious black single cup of joe this morning, I see my lovely sister calling me cell. Now at 8:00 in the morning this is a bit unusual for Nicole (who strolls into work at like 10 am everyday if she doesn't work from home), but I wasn't yet awake enough to handle any long stories that involved my input. Therefore, I had decided to call her back when my eyelids weren't half open. However, as I proceeded to open my gmail , I saw a message from her with an attached picture. Simultaneously I opened the email and darted for my cell. Thankfully she was still on the other end yawning impatiently. The timing was perfect! CONGRATS! I exclaimed. " Oh did you see the email?" She asked. Yep, it's a beautiful ring! When you described what you wanted before, I thought it was going to be kind of ugly, but that's actually really pretty. (I need to spend some time with the Lord in the morning before I speak to humans, or else I...

Such a great name for these unique and delicious burgers. My friend B (Brooke) invited me over to try out a new Moroccan patty! It's quite an easy recipe, and in honor of The Pioneer Woman , I tried to take (not-so-great) pictures with my (not-so-great) camera for your viewing. I mean who has time to worry about the lighting, aperture and shutter speed when you're drooling!  Meet B.-- Grill-Myster extraordinaire. Meet the leading man--Ground Chuck-- any version you like will do. Spices that will soon be introduced to Chuck... And they instantly fall in love! It's like they've always known each other. Don't be fooled-- its not just ketchup, and its essential to the meal. We must get our veggies kids-- choose anything you want to grill. Squash and mushrooms another beautiful pairing. I've never seen anyone so excited to stand over the scorching grill before! She does look like a natural though. The secret ingredient in...

Matt B. gettin a degree! The youngest of the Blair's has finally received his college degree! Matt Blair after transferring to UGA (because of his amazing older sister who found a loop hole while working at the admissions office-- no I must take my secret to the grave.... wait I've told like everyone.... wait.... um.... okay this isn't me I'm talking about, he has another older sister I swear!!) I digress- Matt graduated with two bachelor's degrees in consumer economics and housing this past weekend, and my grandmother, sister, soon to be brother-in-law, dad, mom, step-mom, step-dad, step-sister, second and third cousins, neighbors, and Chloe all celebrated his accomplishment with a little wake boarding, eating, skiing, and eating some more. Matt certainly deserves the whole crew's appreciation and admiration. I am so proud of Matt, and I know he is SO excited that he now has to be self-sufficient since momma D reminded him of his rent check which will be...