Hello, fall

Today, we had no school in honor of ACL weekend. Yes, we dismiss classes unofficially for ACL. And, what a better day to not have school! It was our first sub 60 degree morning in 6 months and it felt marvelous. To honor that first chill, here's a Snow sighting (aka Snow the cat).

Three day weekend

Hallelujah! Working at a private boarding school, we don't get the same breaks as everyone else. So, yes, we labored on labor day. So, now I refrain from laboring while everyone else labors. To honor that, I started it out with a little Peculiar Children, some blankets, and recliners. And, I'm thankful for all of it.

A seat in the great outdoors

Tonight, I decided to try a walk since I still can't shake this post-op sickness. When I finished, I was treated to this serene view outside our house, complete with my favorite new book on Audible. Tonight, I'm thankful for...trees. Yes, trees.

Picking up where I left off

In this year of trying to finish things I started a while ago, I'm trying to finish my Adobe certifications and Web languages. I found this photo that reminded me of the time when I started all of these crazy challenges. Today, I laugh as they become more of a reality.

Goodbye yellow brick road

Today, I felt like I made progress in returning to the land of the living after last week's surgery. And, I celebrated by doing another pair of shoes - The Beatles! Today, I'm thankful for progress along that road.

Shakes & rain

Today, I  enjoyed the first rain in over a month and a shake. The shake seemed to be the perfect treat for my post-op healing.

A day of rest

Today, I spent a good portion of the day sneezing from my surgery. However, I was able to take some breaks with some soup, cats, and learning new things. So, today, I'm thankful for the rest.

Pain

While these flowers were a welcome break from the massive pain I dealt with from surgery, the real picker-uppers were the deviled eggs. But, in  my pain delusion, I only snapped a picture of these. Today, I'm thankful for small steps in recovery. Here's to hoping tomorrow is better.

The last hurrah

Today, I took a morning bike ride before my surgery. After four months of dealing with ear and sinus issues from my flight to Hawaii, I am hopeful for relief. So, today, I'm thankful for last hurrahs and new hurrahs.

Jam

Today was one of those hard days. And, with that I figured, what better than jam and crackers. And, you know what? I was right. Needless to say, tonight I am thankful for crackers and jam - a simple life pleasure.

We are NOT superheroes

Tonight, I had lofty ambitions. Tonight, I took a nap. Tonight, I realized I was not a superhero, but instead a very tired, over-worked human. And, tonight, I'm thankful for that realization.

Learning new things

Today, I started something I've put off forever - learning some new computer science languages. I'm starting with just a refresher of HTML and CSS, but I am anxious to move on to some new ones and fulfill a long-term goal of mine and a goal I make for my students.

The nieces

Today, I got to see the nieces - the wild and the tame - for the first time in a month. It felt like forever, but I quickly caught up with the crazy one and the sensitive one. So, I'm thankful for the love these two bring.

Secret ingredients

Today, we celebrated our September date from the month of dates box I made for Christmas last year. This month's date - host an iron chef date with a secret ingredient of your choice. My choice - pineapple. And, I have to admit, it was quite tasty. So, today, I'm thankful for the creativity cooking brings.

Taco Friday - tacos every day!

Perhaps, I was thinking about Trump or, perhaps, I just wanted tacos. Either way, I indulged in my taco love today. I think I could do tacos every day on every corner. So, today, I'm thankful for tacos - of all kinds.

Nerd - glam

Tonight, I combined glam & glitter with Star Wars. And, it was fun to let the two collide. Tonight, I'm thankful for being proud of being a nerd-glam.

Two days

This week has been flying by. In fact, I haven't had a moment to take a picture of anything. Instead, I find myself tired and whooped. The weekend seems like it just happened, but it feels so far away. So, today, I'm thankful for two days - two days until the weekend and until I can catch a break.

Shirt design

Today,  I designed a shirt for our coding club, <body> builders in the hopes that  members can earn certifications and wear shirts. Today, I'm thankful for goalss.

Code like a girl

Today, I spent many hours working on plans for the #hourofcode activities this year. With two coding clubs going strong right now, I'm super excited for this year's events. In honor of my excitement, I may have indulged in some of Code.org's code swag.

Official

Today,  my contact cards arrived for my art business.  Though I don't need cards to feel official,  I feel it more now.  Today,  I'm thankful for more adventures.

Flower heaven

Today,  we explored the ins and outs of Fredericksburg. After antiquing,  we enjoyed belinis and flowers and rest.  Today,  I'm thankful for flowers heaven.

Finishing what I started

Though it made for another long day, I'm thankful to have finished a pair of Dr. Seuss shoes. Another one bites the dust. And, sleep awaits!

Vino

Today, our monthly bottle of wine came in. Though we arenot uge wine drinkers, we have a love for a certain place: Chisolm Trail Winery. And, tonight, I'm very thankful for it.

Dr. Seuss

Today, I am thankful for Dr. Seuss. After one of the most difficult days I've had in a long time since becoming a teacher, I had to remind myself of Dr. Seuss and some of my favorite quotes of his. Simple, but true.

Audio books

Today, I'm thankful for audio books. I developed the addiction over the summer. And, now, it's the thing I look forward to every morning -  driving in traffic so I can listen to my Audible book. I listen to it when I work out, when I rest, and when I drive. Yes, I'm an audio book addict. And, today, I'm thankful for it as I conquer my first sickness of the school year.

Child shoes

Tonight, I painted some Paw Patrol shoes for my cousin's little boy, Grayson. Though, it was still work on a Sunday night, I was happy to defer some of my work-work for the chance to make a little one smile. Tonight, I'm thankful for shoes...especially painting them.

Little Shop of Horrors

Tonight, I took my family out for my mom's birthday present that I gave months ago...to the City Theater's Little Shop of Horrors. And...it didn't disappoint. Today, I'm thankful for plays and afternoon siestas.

No rest for the Wicked

Today, I pushed through the fatigue of the week and pushed out another pair of...Wicked shoes. Tonight, I'm thankful I defied gravity.

Coloring

Today was a 14 hour day with back-to-school, plus the time I spent working once I got home. So, that's close to 16ish hours. So, after all that work and without my usual exercise relief, I decided to try some of my coloring books. And, it did the trick! Tonight, I'm thankful for some color therapy.

Skipping

Today, I took time off from my evening responsibilities to just rest. While I hated skipping out, it was necessary. So, today, I'm thankful for taking care of my health.

Art journey

Today, I set out on making a pair of Banksy replica shoes. They turned out nothing like I planned. Perhaps, that is the purpose of art, though. So, today, I'm thankful for the creative journey.

A break

Today, I'm thankful for a break - even if it was with a 5 mile race walk. I worked from sun up until past sun down so a break was necessary.

Morning sun

I love Sunday mornings for long, rush-free workouts and, today was no exception. This spot always captures me and I'm thankful for another morning to enjoy it.

Wild things and salads

Today, I indulged in my two current addictions: shoe painting and salads. And, I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed both.

Glitter

Today, I took a bath in glitter. Well, I did not intentionally, but after making a modge podge and glitter concoction, I might as well have. So, today, I'm thankful for the surprises that glitter continues to give.

Superhero

Today, I'm thankful for the superheros - the real and the painted ones. I'm also thankful for the time to paint. After a tiring week starting back at school, I needed some paint therapy.

Grilling

Today is day two with students and the fatigue is setting in. It's easy to forget just how draining the first week back can be. Fear not, though, salmon burgers were in store! I'm thankful for the mundane excitement of grilling.

First day run

I kicked off my first day of teaching in 6 years (at least with a full class of K-12 students) with a 5 mile race-walk. I'm thankful for the chance to get out my first day workout before my first day fatigue fully sank in.

Setting up class

Today, I set up my first classroom in 6 years. Though I share the classroom with other teachers so it is not entirely my own, it felt reminiscent of times ago. And, though, my original classroom days were rife with difficulties, I'm thankful for them and the kids who made me a better learner - not just a better a teacher.

Rainy morning walks

Today, I woke up to rain, so I took advantage of the droplets and went for an 8 mile walk. Since I can no longer run, it was my "treat" to myself. Today, I'm thankful for this freak week of August rain. It brings out the kid in me.

Geeking out

Today, I wore my handmade Wonder Woman shoes to go see Suicide Squad. It was the perfect treat on a rainy day, three days before school starts. Sometimes, a break is necessary and today, I'm thankful for that.

More shoes!

Tonight, I spent many hours working on my coding club "recruitment" shoes. I made a throwback to the original 8-bit Super Mario Brothers. Today, I'm thankful for inspiration and hopeful for a successful school year!

Coloring books!

Today, I indulged in the coloring book trend. Though I don't need another hobby to take up, I was literally drawn to them. Today, I'm thankful for color.

Sleepiness

Has set in before school has even begun. It seems it is the strongest this time of the year, every year. So, today, I'm thankful for the time to rest under the covers, piled by fury friends.

Rainy toes

Today, I indulged myself by taking a 5 mile brisk walk in the rain. It's seldom that it rains in Austin in August, much less 4 days in a row and 11 inches! So, I couldn't pass up the historical moment. And, I'm thankful for that.

Have you ever seen the rain?

Today, we did...all day long. And, it was lovely. So, we celebrated with wine, bread, and pasta. Delicious!

Wonder Woman!

6 hours later, I finished a pair of wonder woman shoes as I start a side business of selling custom-designed canvas shoes. I'm thankful for the time to create and the enjoyment of a product I can wear any day, any time!

Cake!

Today, we indulged at our favorite "fancy" restaurant, Magiano's. With the great couple's deal, we took a bite of chocolate crime in the form of a chocolate mouse cake. It was like the Great Wall of Chocolate! And, though my belly is not so thankful now, I'm thankful for a night to indulge.

Vinegar Girl

Today, I finished my first "for fun" novel that I've read in a while and it was a delight. It's part of the Hogarth Shakespeare series and is a modern adaptation of Taming of the Shrew. It was the perfect, fun summer read!