206/365 - Whoops

So Steph came down to visit me for my birthday a few days ago! I hadn't seen her since August so it was great to have company! Her car has been acting up and it wouldn't start one night so we had to get it towed. A few hundred dollars later, she was able to go home. The whole ordeal landed me one extra day with her, so no complaints from me! Thanks for coming Steph!!! Love you!



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Rockfish Hoke Elementary - Raeford, NC

205/365 - Cooooookies

Funfetti cake has always been my favorite, but did you know that you can make cookies from the cake mix? It's sooo good, especially paired with Steph's homemade buttercream frosting! Num num num!!



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My apartment - Fayetteville, NC

204/365 - Num Nums

Today I made chicken caesar salad pizza and boy was it phenomenal. I'd make it again for sure!!! I love to cook and I love to photograph it too!



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My apartment - Fayetteville, NC

203/365 - Engagement Session

Today was my first attempt at professional photography. I spent all day with Eileen and her fiance Lass taking pictures. We had a great time and I think there are some good shots. This one is my favorites because it is fun. The colors are so pretty and makes me happy! I wish the best to you two! Thanks for giving me this opportunity!



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Cape Fear River Trail - Fayeteville, NC

202/365 - Food Coma

Today we had Thanksgiving at Kelly and Trent's house. Laura's sisters came up too and we had a great time. We stuffed our faces (as per usual), played some games, and layed around and let our food comas take over. It was a great Thanksgiving! There is so much I am thankful for. Life in North Carolina is terrific and I love what I have here. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of my transition.



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Kelly and Trent's House - Raeford, NC

201/365 - Spectacular Sunset

We've had some gorgeous sunsets lately. Tonight was no exception. I've discovered I get a much better perspective if I go up to the third floor and take pictures. I get a much better reflection in the little bit of water that's on the other side of the fence. This picture makes me happy.



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My apartment - Fayetteville, NC

200/365 - Bath Time

Wow! Day 200! A milestone!! Not only am I lame, my friends are lame as well. Today was Eileen's turn to give her stuffed animal a bath in my sink. The only difference is hers hasn't had a bath in like 20 years. It was like a whole new stuffed animal. It's about time she made her appearance on my blog. We met a little over a week ago and seem to have found quite the friend in each other which makes me happy! :o)



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My apartment - Fayetteville, NC

199/365 - Reliving My Childhood

So for my birthday, I asked my siblings to chip in and get Super Mario Bros Wii for me. I got it a week early and played it non stop. This game combines all of the older Super Mario games from all of the old systems. If you're a fan of Mario games, this one is phenomenal and I recommend it to anyone!!



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My apartment - Fayetteville, NC

198/365 - I'm Not Lame

I decided today that Mitten, my teddy bear needed a bath. So into the sink he went with some laundry detergent. I may or may not have also used fabric softener. I'm really cool sometimes. He's super soft now!



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My apartment - Fayetteville, NC

197/365 - Shoes

Have you ever stopped and taken a minute and asked yourself what you would do if you were in someone else's shoes? Especially someone who does some great and amazing thing that makes a huge difference in someone's life. Sure, most of us have, and the general consensus is that we give them props for doing what they do, but could never see ourselves doing something like that. Maybe it's a lack of time. Or a lack of energy. Or a lack of money. There's always some reason we find that prevents us from being "that person." I saw The Blind Side tonight and it was a phenomenal movie. I would recommend it to anyone and I would go see it again and it's definitely one I will be buying. It's amazing how a small sacrifice to one person can make a world of a difference for another.

It's so easy to look at someone else's life with a judging eye and a finger of scrutiny, but unless we really know their story, what gives us the right to do that? Everyone comes from somewhere and each little event is a small part of a gigantic puzzle that makes them who they are. There are things in life that are unforeseeable, speed bumps we can never prepare for, and all we can do is hope for the best and look for the lesson that surely will come. Sometimes it's hard to see the good amidst all of the bad, but it's always there. I know that there are things in my life that have been on the unfortunate side, but I have learned from them and I try to practice looking for the good. Sometimes it takes years to see the good or the lesson in something, but it always comes.

I believe in karma and I believe in paying it forward. Do unto others are you would have done unto you. Go a little bit out of your way to do a favor for a stranger. Smile. A smile is a gift that we were all given and I think we should use it as much as possible.

If you were given the chance to make a difference in the life of another person, would you do it?



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Lake Rim - Fayetteville, NC

196/365 - Animal Show

This afternoon we had an animal show for students who met a fundraising goal for cookie dough. There were a lot of exotic animals and the kids loved it. I, along with 6 other staff members, got to hold a gigantic yellow snake and it was so cool! I can't wait to see the picture of that!!



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Rockfish Hoke Elementary - Raeford, NC

195/365 - 1-2-3 Excited

Tonight was the first grade music showcase at school. I had a handful of my kids show up and we had lined them up in the cafeteria and we were just killing time, so of course I took some pictures. And of course I played my favorite game ever... "1-2-3 *say an expression and the people need to make a corresponding face*" It's always a great hit!



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Rockfish Hoke Elementary - Raeford, NC

193/365 - Morning Glory

Driving to school this morning I saw the most beautiful sunrise. Probably the prettiest I've seen since I've lived down here.

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Gillis Hill Rd. - Fayetteville, NC

194/365 - Ice Cream Cures

Nothing turns that frown upside down better than pizza, ice cream, and hanging out with a friend. Oh, and calling yourself at school to see what your voicemail sounds like and leaving a message for the next morning that totally makes your day. (Yes, I did that and it really made my day!)



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Eileen's House - Raeford, NC

192/365 - Baby Frog

At recess today, there was a big puddle from all of the rain we've been getting. I was telling kids to stay away from it and I looked down and saw something move and discovered this little guy. I was like "OOOOOOH A FROG!!!!" and of course all of the kids came a runnin!



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Rockfish Hoke Elementary - Raeford, NC

191/365 - Mother Nature's Wonders

It rained a ton last week because of a hurricane in the Gulf. It was finally warm and nice again on Sunday so I went to the Cape Fear River Trail with Laura to take some pictures. I went to get some shots of the train trestle and I got some pretty ones, but this one definitely takes the cake for the picture of the day. The colors are gorgeous and fall as finally hit North Carolina. It was here before, but with all this rain the colors are out in full force. This picture puts me at ease.



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Cape Fear River Trail - Fayetteville, NC

190/365 - Going Up

This weekend I attended a workshop on data in the classroom in Southern Pines. There were teachers from several surrounding counties and it was really cool. I learned some strategies that I could implement in the classroom. Even better, I made some new friends that I am really excited about. I love new people!! On one of our breaks I was wandering outside and saw a very picture worthy spot, so here it is.



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Southern Pines, NC

189/365 - Dance Dance

Today was Friday and we got to have Footloose Friday. They absolutely love ending the day and the week with dancing and it always helps me end on a good note too, which is never a bad thing! Sometimes the simple things are the best and most appreciated.



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Rockfish Hoke Elementary - Raeford, NC

188/365 - The bubbles, the bubbles, the bubbles!!!

I hadn't taken a picture yet for today and needed to relax, so I thought a nice bubble bath was due. Bubble baths are amazing. I wish I had more time to relax. I'm the kind of person who always needs to be doing something. I'm not sure I know how to slow down. I'm content with my ways though, so it's all good.



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My apartment - Fayetteville, NC

187/365 - Mmm Mmm Good

Today we didn't have school in honor of Veteran's Day. I got 12 hours of sleep and spent the day cleaning out my closet and putting a lot of my summer stuff in storage. I cleaned the apartment and vacuumed and mopped all the floors. I was in the freezer for some reason and saw/remembered the box of turkey burgers I bought a while ago and apparently forgot about. I took the box out and saw a suggestion for Hawaiian burgers on the back and decided that's what I was going to make for dinner. I've never made them before but I'd say they turned out well! Yum!



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My apartment - Fayetteville, NC

186/365 - Rainy Day

Today was my first batch of Parent Teacher Conferences. It was a long day, but they went well! It was a good day to be inside all day. We're getting the aftermath of a hurricane so it's been raining a lot the last few days.



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Rockfish Hoke Elementary - Raeford, NC

185/365 - Turkey Tom

This sits outside one of the kindergarten classrooms. I think it's adorable.



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Rockfish Hoke Elementary - Raeford, NC

184/365 - Mmmmmudslide

I bought this to drink at the Halloween party and never did. Tonight sounded like a good night.



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My apartment - Fayetteville, NC

183/365 - Simply Saturday

Wow, I am halfway through my blog for the year!!

Crunching leaves, chirping birds, rustling branches, quiet laughter. Today was a simple day. I went to Clark Park and the Cape Fear River Trail with a friend to shoot some pictures. It was a great way to spend my Saturday morning/afternoon. It was nice out, there weren't a ton of people, and it was relaxing to just be in nature with some good company. I don't take enough time to myself to relax and reflect and today was just that. I got some good pictures.

Every morning on my way to school I pass a cotton field and I noticed a green chair sitting close to the road, watching the field. I've been meaning to take a picture, but it's always dark on my commute. I went into school today to work and finally had the opportunity to get this picture. It just makes me think SIMPLIFY.



183/365
Raeford, NC

182/365 - First Grade Fun

Today was a fun day! Our story this week in reading was about ice cream so I decided to let the kids who earned it make ice cream in a bag today. I had 10 kids make the ice cream and it was a big hit. The other 6 kids who were there got to write sentences... "I will listen the first time." Surprisingly none of them threw a tantrum. Maybe next time they will stop screwing around and focus.

I've been reading Magic Tree House books and right now I'm reading Dawn of the Dinosaur. I was at a part where the kids had spotted a dinosaur and were hiding, so I crouched down behind a chair and started whispering the story because I was hiding. Then I told the kids to hide too before the dinosaur found them and they all scrambled under their seats. It was cute. First grade is wonderful!



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Rockfish Hoke Elementary - Raeford, NC

181/365 - Snuggles

Ella sleeps on my bed every night and it's my favorite thing ever!!



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My apartment - Fayetteville, NC

180/365 - Field Trip Fun!

Today we went to the Gillis Hill Farm for our first field trip. We had so much fun and really enjoyed ourselves. We got to go on a wagon ride and see the property and some animals and some old vintage farm equipment. We watched a movie about what life on a farm is like. We got to see a puppet/animal show which the kids LOVED. We ate lunch by the pond and got homemade ice cream. We even got to take home baby pumpkins which the kids loved! All in all, it was a wonderful day! Thanks Sally for organizing it!! The kids had a blast! You're wonderful!



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Gillis Hill Farm - Fayetteville, NC

179/365 - Accidents Can Be Hilarious

So we're coming in from recess today and my little guy here was having a hard time walking and I couldn't figure out why. I go over to see what's up and it turns out his shoes are stuck together. He got new boots that have the little loops at the top to wrap your laces around before tying them. Somehow the loop from one boot got caught on a part of his other boot and he couldn't separate his feet. It was so funny!!



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Rockfish Hoke Elementary - Raeford, NC

178/365 - Birthday Celebrations

Tonight a bunch of us went out to Red Lobster to celebrate Kelly's 25th birthday. It was my first time going and we had a great time! In a sense, Kelly got me hooked up with my job and I've extremely grateful to her. I love North Carolina and all of the friends I've made. I love being a teacher and I love first grade. I'm the happiest I've been in a long time, so thank you Kelly for helping make that possible!



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Red Lobster - Fayetteville, NC

177/365 - Dark Chocolate Delight

There are some things in life that just make everything a little bit better. Boy was I in a mood today. One little thing got me started that didn't even have anything to do with me, which led me to laying around all day and wallowing in my sorrows. I am the type of person who likes to be a fixer. I like to know that other people are happy and okay and if they aren't I try my hardest to change that. I'm not quite sure why, but my mood is very heavily based on the energy I feel from other people. I am very good at sensing how people feel, even if they are trying their hardest to hide something. Making others happy makes me happy.

I bought some dark chocolate hot cocoa today and boy was it amazing. Hot chocolate is one of the simple pleasures of life and on a day like today, I needed a little pick-me-upper.



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My apartment - Fayetteville, NC