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Can I get an amen?

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Posted it before…posting it again.  Saying it all day like a mantra.

     It’s been a long time since I’ve done a fun linky party, so I’m jumping back in with one I’ve been reading for quite awhile – Five on Friday.

1.  Y’all Christmas is seriously almost here!

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     I am so ready!  I will be cramming three full-size trees into my not-so-full-size home.  I have my white tree, a silver tree, and I have got to get on the ball and buy an actual Christmas tree.  I also have about five million boxes of décor to unpack…so excited!

2.  Thanksgiving is almost here!

     Thanksgiving is one of my favorites, and I am so excited to hang out with family and cook and eat (and eat and eat and eat).  I haven’t decided what all I’ll be cooking, but I will be sure to share it with you when I do.  I’m thinking maybe corn mush (don’t let the name turn you off it’s divine) and/or paradise salad (also divine) and possibly this casserole that has been haunting my Pinterest.

3.  Why are breaks so much faster than work weeks?!

     I’ve been on fall break all week, and my brain has done a blissful nothing.  Next week will be a rude awakening I’m sure…

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     Switch that to “fall break,” and it’s exactly right.

4.  My Christmas list is looking pretty slim…

     My mother keeps asking me for ideas, and I am so lost…

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     I’m having a tortoise shell love affair right now…I am loving this necklace (and that wildly expensive Michael Kors tortoise shell watch), but other than this cute…my list is pretty bare.  Any ideas?

5.  I’ve been married for four months!

Photo credit: Sarah Linnea Photography

     …and I still haven’t finished my album.  I’ve been loving looking at all my pictures, but I have got to finish the album.  We’re ordering a lay-flat photo book that I will probably look at fifteen times a day…I’ve got to get on the ball.

     As per youzh, I was perusing my blogs the other day when I see (…hear?) this conversation between Sherry (we’re on a first name basis)  and Jonathan Adler (who I’m not trendy enough to know that much about).  I think the Young House Lovers are just adorable, so I’m listening along when I’m stopped by this gem,

“Alright, I’m gonna get real here. The #1 thing I would say is come up with three words to describe what you want your house to say. So like a three word brand identify for your house – and work backwards from there." – Jonathan Adler

     It’s been like two hours, and now I’m stuck trying to hear what my house is saying.  I’m looking around, but the décor isn’t especially chatty tonight.  Pinterest is always up for a good heart to heart though…

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     Got it!  Cozy, relaxed, striking.  I want my home to be a home…not just a house I live in.  I should be able to walk around in pajamas and not feel like like my décor is judging me.  Every room should be inviting…like we could just hang out in there.  It should leave an impression on people; not just the stuff but the feel of it all.
     Mind you all my house dreaming is just that…but I like to think the things I collect now will be part of my forever home – like my sassy green chair.  She’s never going anywhere.  In the mean time, I’ll just keep decorating vicariously…that’s what the blogosphere is for.

     I planned to make this sort of a photo dump…until I realized that I haven’t taken a real picture in weeks (other than about 100 of my new niece).  Other than that I’ve just been trying to keep my head above water with this whole being a grown up thing.  It’s not my fave. 
     I really love teaching, and my kids are precious…but I do miss watching the Food Network in the middle of the day and having no responsibilities (aaahhh…college).  I was doing wonderfully (i.e. as well as can be expected for a first year first grade teacher) until this week.  I’ve had three evaluations in the past two days.  Three.  If you are a teacher, or know one, or know what one is, this should just make you tired.  Honestly, I just want to sleep.  On the plus side, all of my formal evaluations are done for this semester – woop woop!

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I didn’t cry…but I’m tired, so I’ll use that as an excuse to eat everything in sight.

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I promise I’m not as emotionally unstable as my e-cards make me look.

     I’ll try to take some pictures this weekend…Keith and I will be reliving our college days (aahh…youth…or aaahhh six months ago) for homecoming.  I’ll be back soon…ish.