Neither here nor there

One of the things that I miss most about teaching is the summers off. Oh, how I miss the summers off. Two and half months of glorious freedom to lounge about, get stuff done, pool crash, watch crappy TV, read, write, craft to my heart's desire... the ache of not having that anymore is palpable. Instead I sit under a fluorescent light for eight hours in a room with no windows. Yes, I am grateful for my job and I truly love my job, however summers are sloooooooow in a chapel office at a small college.

But then there's this.

Oh, yes. Come Thursday, I am free! I'm using some of my well hoarded paid time off for the end of this week and all of next week. My plans? First, a little staycation action that involves lots of summer sewing, cook-outs with friends and ogling my handsome husband. Then, a solo trip to North Carolina for a few days! Carolina on my mind, indeed. There's a very good chance that one day I will simply set up camp at Foster's, tweet my location and see who all I can get to join me.  

Also, the stars have aligned and all four members of the E-Ranch will actually be in the same place at the same time. With Anna and her crew taking off for their family adventure to South Africa, this is likely to be the last time we'll be able to all be together for a year or so. Ok, changing the subject because I can't do the Ugly Cry while I'm at work.

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My June in Instagram form continues...

Day 12, From a Low Angle. Shot of blue after days of grey and fog up on the mountain.

Day 13, Art. Sketch in pastels by my mom, Lila Dianne, original painting by Carlye Daugird, and calligraphy by Suzanne Starr. 

Day 14, Time. During these slow summer work days, this time is my favorite. #outthedoorsofast

Day 15, Yellow. The first time I successfully sewed in a zipper was on this yellow pillow.

Day 16, Out and About. A Saturday date day concludes with dinner on a lovely front porch at The Big Table.

{Date day included going to see "The Avengers." SO GOOD. That led to subsequent home viewings of "Iron Man 2" and "Thor." I'll let you guess what I dreamed about Sunday night.}

Day 17, In Your Bag. Summer sewing supplies. #crafty

Day 18, Something You Don't Know About Me. Even in 90+ degree heat, I'd rather have the windows down and sunroof open than turn on the AC. #windbown

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I've opted to watch this season of "The Bachelorette," partly due to the fact that it was featuring a North Carolina girl. To be quite honest, I had found Emily to be pretty wimpy and a little ditzy on her season of "The Bachelor" and wasn't too surprised when she and what's-his-name broke up. Besides the obvious ample opportunities for snark as I "watch" the show with my friends on Twitter, I've been delighted to see that Emily has quite the backbone. She's charming and sweet (as most Southern girls tend to be), but girlfriend is not playing around when it comes to picking a man for the long haul. I've been thrilled, thrilled, to see her dismiss some of the men as soon as it becomes clear they have less than honorable intentions, sometimes telling them buh-bye even before the rose ceremony. 

Last night, she went on a date with the traditionally hunky but over-confident Ryan. Homeskills thought he had this thing in the bag and for some reason, thought it was a faaaabulous idea to continually refer to Emily as a "trophy wife." His final misstep was pulling out a list of qualities that he was looking for in a woman, a list which was mainly superficial. Nowhere on that list was there anything about building a strong family. Hey, Ryan? Newsflash- you're trying to woo a woman with a daughter, aka, your potential family. This was the proverbial straw for Emily and she told him that he would not be getting a rose. Say it with me now, "Gentlemen, if you did not receive a rose tonight, please take a moment to say your goodbyes."

Well.

What Ryan took a moment to do was attempt to stare Emily down and then proceeded to condescend and manipulate/guilt trip her into changing her mind. The part that infuriated me the most was that his manipulation was disguised as "gentlemanly" southern charm. Suddenly I was right back in my mid-20's, right smack back in that relationship with my own version of Ryan. As I watched Emily duck her head and begin to question her decision, I got mad. I remembered what it felt like to have my resolve and clear thoughts begin to crumble under the weight of a man persuading you (with genteel southern smoothness, mind you) that he was right and you were wrong. I remembered what it felt like to have my only worth be found in what I looked like and how skinny I could be and what clothes I was wearing. I remembered what it felt like to be a trophy girlfriend, until I wasn't one anymore. I remembered how good it felt to finally raise my head, hold my gaze and tell him I wouldn't be that trophy anymore. So when Emily did the same, you best believe I cheered and clapped. Oh, let's just be honest, I hollered.

And for the record, my vote is for Arie or Sean.

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Random things around the Internets that I am loving...

• National Aerobic Championships. The 80's. Y'ALL.  

• I'm wondering why Allie and I never did this when we were little. This little gem is a cover of this which is a cover of this.

• This post by Sarah Markley. My answers are a.) I need to do more of this and b.) OH YES (aka, Parents, please stop blogging nude/semi-nude pictures of your children.)

• My style guru, Molly, helps me find some new nail polish options. 

• Dooce enlists snake training for her dogs. Knox would do exactly what Chuck did. 

• I will be making this next month. Oh, yes, I will.

Source: iambaker.net via Leslie on Pinterest

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Coming up later this week, Paleo! Happy Tuesday, y'all.

Inspiration via Instagram

In an attempt to woo myself back into writing, I've been looking for inspiration wherever I can find it. I figured I'd start with that oh so popular app, Instagram. Every month, Chantelle posts a series of photo prompts for that entire month. Since my job is pretty slow right now, I knew that I could put some effort into being intentional about looking for the little things. Here's a little bit of my June thus far...

Day 1, Morning. 

Somehow getting Starbucks from the one next to the famous "See Rock City" feels even more special.

Day 2, Empty. 

Every single produce bag holder at Walmart. For over a week now. #1stworldproblems

Day 3, On my plate.

A zucchini brownie from the second batch I've made this week. #paleo

{Yes, I've been eating Paleo for the last couple of months. Blog post coming on that soon...}

Day 4, Close-up. 

Budding hydrangea outside my office.

Day 5, Sign. 

When you have middle & high school students on campus all summer, this is absolutely necessary.

{I didn't make this sign, but I giggle every time I walk by it!}

Day 6, Hat. 

I still long for this gorgeous chapeaux. 

I found it at Kress Emporium in downtown Asheville last spring and oh, how I wish I could have brought it home with me! #southerngirl

Day 7, Drink. 

Water. All the ding dang day.

Day 8, 6 p.m. 

Contemplating take-out from a restaurant that, turns out, we will never patronize ever again. Specifically, the location in Red Bank. Worst. Management. EVER.

Day 9, My View Today. 

Morning quiet

Oil change 

Sunset cookout with friends

Patio lights I've waited 6 years to hang. 

#bliss

Day 10, Best Bit of My Weekend. 

This, always. #mylove

Day 11, Door. 

And every day I'm happy to walk through it!

Which reminds me, I need to post pics of our new place now that we're all moved in. See? Inspiration found.

Things that made me come alive today

Listening to the Chattanooga Symphony String Quintet perform at our school today

I play the flute. Did you know that? I do. Well, I did. I started playing the flute in fourth grade. We lived in Nashville at the time and in the public school system, every child had to either play an instrument in the band, the orchestra or sing in chorus. I will forever be grateful that the school system valued music so deeply as to require that. It was playing the flute that gave me some of my most amazing musical opportunities. I played all through middle school, taking lessons periodically, and all through high school as well. I auditioned for every all-county/all-district/all-state band or orchestra that I could. Band geek? Yes, proudly.

One of the greatest musical experiences that I ever had was being accepted to play flute in the North Carolina Governor's School orchestra. Governor's School is an exclusive summer program designed to enhance the academic, artistic and performing talents of North Carolina's high school students. Each year, there is fierce competition to obtain a coveted spot on one of their campuses. I practiced and rehearsed for that audition like none other. And it was worth every minute.

I was part of a group of students that were as passionate about music as I was. We were exposed to all types of orchestral music, not just classical. I remember being completely weirded out by a piece that we played composed by Phillip Glass. The printed music consisted of simply beats on a page with directions about what to do with our instrument. Not musical notes, but directions that had me blowing directly into the mouthpiece while loudly banging on the keys. It was bizarre and modern and completely unlike anything to which I had ever been exposed. It was awesome.

However, the highlight of being in the Governor's School orchestra for me was being introduced to Gustav Holst's "The Planets." Oh my. I had never heard anything like it in my sixteen year old life and I was hooked. I couldn't wait for the section of rehearsal when we pulled out "Jupiter" and played that lively, rollicking piece. Even better, I won the piccolo part and playing those light, airy notes made my heart leap. Oh, and then the solemn and mournful middle section where the strings and horns join together in a reverent melody! I remember when we finally performed it for our families and friends, I sat in my chair with tears in my eyes at how achingly beautiful it sounded. To this day, I can't listen to it without being moved that same way.

The string quintet today brought back all those memories. I play classical music for my kids each morning but listening to them reminded me that a worthy purchase might be the pieces I know and love. I so miss teaching at a classical school, one that values that piece of a child's musical education. The classics, the music that has and will stand the test of time. Listening to them made my heart beat a little faster, I found myself breathing more deeply and a part of my truest self was uncovered. I'm wondering what I might need to do to truly reconnect with that part...

Wandering around Barnes and Noble

I texted Jason after school, "I need to go to Barnes and Noble and soak in some books. Be home around six." Oh yes, I needed to go to Barnes and Noble. Something about the string quintet had me thinking about the things that I deeply love. I don't know if it was really even conscious but I just knew I needed to go buy a book. A good book. One worth reading. Or maybe it was just that I needed to be in the midst of books. Either way, it was good. It was calming and soothing and I bought a very good book indeed, an old friend with whom I'd like to be reacquainted. I also found an inexpensive copy of "The Planets." Thank you, bargain bin, don't mind if I do.

Hearing a pair of owls hooting in the distance as I took Knox for his evening walk

It reminded me of when we lived here and got to experience this and this and this and this. Sigh. I would've stood on the sidewalk and listened for a while but I think I was weirding out the folks in the nearby houses. Still, it did my heart good to hear those calls and know just what was behind it all.

And to know it wasn't monkeys on the loose. Seriously, go check out the "this" links.

It's Been a Long Day

And I pretty much spent most of it putting out fires of various types, thankfully none of them literal.

But I am wiped and spent and any other synonym you can think of for tired.

So.

I'm giving myself a day off from Project Blogging Mojo.

I leave with you this.

Because it makes me happy in a sad sort of way which pretty much sums up how I'm feeling at the end of this day.



{Edited to add: This video is not some hidden message about how my dreams have been dashed or how I wish my life was "so different from this hell I'm living." No, not at all. Y'all just know that Broadway makes me happy and somehow angsty emotional Broadway songs make me even happier. Add in some Glee? Bliss. That's all. The end.}

Sunday Night Cell Phone Dump

My most involved sewing project to date. I think I want to try this next and spiff up our oh so drab living room.

There's at least one of these in my cell phone every week.

This recipe for Taco Soup will be a fall/winter staple in the Petree house.

I broke Debo Yama's fashion rule.

I will forever be grateful to Abby for snagging these puppies for me.

After I took this pic, I had eight trays of Pioneer Woman's Cinnamon Rolls in my freezer. We're down to five, just that quickly.

I swear that if they had this in adult sizes I would be headed back to Cracker Barrel this very moment.

Jason dove into the world of PW and made her Potato Leek Pizza topped with GOAT CHEESE. I don't think it's possible to over sell the wonder that is GOAT CHEESE.

Ummmmm, well. All righty then.

Morning glory.

Oh, please read the top of this math homework sheet. I can't make this stuff up.

My mom, an accomplished seamstress, had a pair of these when we were growing up, although not this cute. We were under penalty of severe punishment if we even breathed on them. These are going on my Christmas list.

This sight sent me back to being eight years old and being stuck in a fabric store.

Best school picture EVER.

Out & About

One of my favorite things about my cell phone is that it has a camera that takes fairly decent pictures. I usually don't make it out of Walmart without taking a picture of some wacko item  they're selling. I've been known to sneak pictures of people wearing ridiculous outfits or, as you'll see soon, myself in ridiculous outfits. 

I finally uploaded over a hundred pictures from my phone to my computer today and thought I'd share some choice ones with y'all. It might give you a snapshot {tee hee!} of what my days have been like in the last few months...

A glorious after-school-hallelujah-it's-Friday treat! And Sandra Bullock? One classy dame.

My Mother's Day gift to my Marmee. A fabulous excuse to break out my boxes of ribbon and paper! There's this awesome store/warehouse here in Chatt {Southeastern Salvage} that sells these market baskets in all sorts of colors and a giraffe and zebra print. I bought a giraffe print basket for myself and I think I can safely say it's made me one of the sassiest green shoppers at our local Walmart.

My friend Sarah and I saw these beauties {the shoes, not my feet} at Belk's and they were marked somewhere around $85. I spotted them a week later at this fabulous discount shoe store for $25! I didn't get them then because, honestly, the chance of my attending a formal event anytime soon was about as likely as the chance that someone might convince the entire Lohan family to quietly slip into oblivion. But part of my sister's graduation from OTS {more on that in a bit} is a formal dinner and these would be FANTASTIC with the dress I'm wearing. Hmmmmm...

Me and my pup. Summer evening. Tennis ball chasing for him = happy, happy dog.

Just Say No...to the romper. {Lordamercy, the things I do for this blog.}

I spotted this the other week at Southeastern Salvage and I'm wondering if I couldn't somehow paint something like this myself. A ghetto version, for sure, but it would be cheaper than buying this one. Or maybe this is just a vision of what I'd like a room in our someday house to look like. 

An absolutely delicious summer evening on the shore of the Tennessee River getting ready to hear Sheryl Crowe at Riverbend.

Now I am all for a big ol' hat but this was a little much, even for me.

The next time I randomly come across a hundred bucks, I am going right back to the West Elm store and getting eight place settings of these lovelies. I am so ready for fresh, crisp white in our kitchen!

My sister decided to make being an Air Force officer her career and has been kicking butt at Officer's Training School since April. She graduates on July 20th and I can't think of a better reason to slog through Alabama humidity than to watch her be commissioned! 

Unless it's to wear a sassy pair of shoes at the formal dinner the night before. 

We'll call it a draw.

Blame it on the a-a-a-a-alcohol.

My inconsistent writing, I mean. No, not really. When your total alcohol consumption in the last two months is one margarita, one glass of wine and one mixed drink {none, by the way, did I finish}, I don’t think blaming it on the alcohol is legit.

I suppose I could blame it on the half-marathon training but my husband isn’t buying that excuse anymore {What? I can’t milk another week of post-race handing off of chores?}.

I could blame it on lack of interesting blog fodder which would be so true except that I really do need to take the time to post about all the interesting things I saw for sale at Walmart the other night.

There were many. Cell phone pics to come.

I don’t know where the blame lies but I do know it’s 11:56 p.m. and I need to go to bed. But not before I tell you a few important things.

First, and most important, I am spending the weekend with my four best girlfriends celebrating the 10th anniversary of The E-Ranch. There will be wine, there will be manicures, there will be PW’s cinnamon rolls. There will also be cringing as we watch video of ourselves from ten years ago. In other words, IT WILL BE AWESOME.

Also, we need a new pic of the four of us because I’m pretty sure this is the first time in three years that we’ve all gotten together and none of us are pregnant. Truly, the wine will flow.

You want to know what can make me grin so big after running thirteen miles? My hunky husband. That is the reason for a smile this big. And after all, every good southern drama queen needs her own personal paparazzi.

Look, my sister and I have been dorks from the time we were little. It’s just always going to be that way.

My Marmee is the best. You should know that.

This is currently my favorite student. No, she’s not passionately singing. She was praying at the start of our chapel and totally struck that pose. Why is she my favorite? Because she could talk the hind leg off a mule and I can relate to that quality in a girl. I’m just sayin.

It also doesn’t hurt that she compliments something I wear every dang day. Every day. Even if it’s just my socks. Talk about boosting a girl’s self-esteem!

 

Ok, that’s all I got. Next week is my spring break so I really have no excuse for writing. Y’all hold me to it, m’kay?

Cheesing it up like it’s my job,

Your SDQ