Skirtember #1

My first week back to teaching was a pretty decent week. Like any teacher knows, I am still getting a feel for my classes and their personalities. I have a student teacher this semester, and it is kind of fun to have another adult in the room. I am so used to spending 7 hours a day with 14 year olds, that I forget what it can be like to be around adults.

I started this Skirtember business with the greatest intentions. And then the rain came. Thunder storm-flash flooding-knocking out power kind of rain. That's not normal for the valley. But we are looking at a week of weather in the 80's an 90's so my intentions are to get some dresses and skirts worn. Any who... for week one of this adventure I have two dresses to share.

This is a modcloth dress I got last year on clearance to wear over bathing suits. This was at our Labor Day bbq.

Next up is my first day of school outfit. I feel like I should be holding a chalkboard listing my favorites on it or something. This is an Old Navy dress. The cardigan lasted about 5 minutes into first period.

Are you participating in Skirtember? it's not too late! Check out Kristin's blog for details!

Fall Bucket List

Last week I was asked when I was going to post my fall bucket list. Truth was, I wasn't going to write one, but why should summer have all the fun? This list is much shorter than the summer one, you know with me working and all. I also am not really sure when the fall season ends and the winter season begins. I mean, yes I could look at the calendar, but I feel that most of my Christmas stuff should be on a winter list. Any who, I present my fall bucket list.

Yes, almost half the list has something to do with food. Fall just seems like a season for food.

What did I miss on my bucket list? Are you planning anything fun for the fall season?

A fresh start

As any teacher knows, the new year starts in September, not January. Like any good new year, I have some goals that I am setting. One of my big goals has nothing to do with my classroom. In fact, I haven't really ever talked about it here in this space. Or really, talked about it at all. I have been pretty unhappy with how I look. I have been unhappy with how I am feeling. I have been unhappy with how my clothes are fitting.

As a health teacher, I feel like I am failing in my healthy modeling. I love working out, but I don't do it consistently. I love healthy food, but I really love deep fried or sweet goodness. The scale is now reaching the numbers that I swore I would never hit. I know things need to change. My family history alone is enough to make anyone cringe.

So, I know something has to happen. One of my goals in my 13 in '13 has been to workout 12 hours a month. It hasn't happened yet. It has to. And I know it has to be a mix of cardio and weight training. I am a huge fan of group exercise classes, and I have been scheduling my weeknights around my gym schedule. I also am committing to tracking my food intake (at least during the work week). I have used MyFitnessPal in the past, and I was pretty successful. And the scariest part of it all... I am going to post my progress here. Right now I am not comfortable with a "before" picture, but I am going to put out my "before" numbers. I know tracking the scale hasn't been successful for me, so I am going with measurements. (I took these myself so I know they are only semi-accurate.)

Please feel free to follow my journey along. I will be posting here monthly-ish? (I'm not promising anything... shoot, its pretty much a miracle that I have been posting anything after my August showing.) But I should be updating MyFitnessPal Please friend me to keep me accountable! My name is caseyamber. 

What tips do you have to stay on track?

Summer- bucket list style

I guess my blogging didn't get much better after my last post. Oops. Its back to school time for me. We have been back for a week of planning/organizing. Tuesday is the first day with kids, and Wednesday is my first day teaching. I guess summer is over. I know y'all have been on the edge of your seats wondering what our summer was like...

• I picked both blueberries and blackberries. 
• Shopped several times at the local farmer's market.
• I learned how to big girl can :) I made some berry syrup with a friend I (who was teaching me) and then some jalapeno jelly on my own. I also made quite a few jars of freezer jam.
• We picnicked at our secret spot on the river
• We went camping. It was fantastic.
• We stayed at the beach. It was fantastic.
• Watched a Bon Jovi tribute band at our local park
• Pigged out at the State fair (and saw the cutest baby pigs and goats!)
• I read a ton of books-I'm thinking close to 10. 
• We flew down to San Francisco to spend some time with my aunt.
• Hung out at the Rogue brewery hop farm.

I'd still like to watch something at the drive in, and I am always ready for a pedicure. We should be having some fireworks during the end of September festival our town puts on. Maybe we will still go mini golfing for a date night/afternoon one day.

Things that aren't happening:

• Our garage freezer broke this summer, so we just don't have room for my own popsicles right now (although my aunt had some fantastic watermelon/lime/jalapeno ones she had made)
• I am so far out of running shape, that a race would be torture
• Our garage is still a disaster.
• I haven't pulled out my sewing machine in quite awhile... probably jumping into something I want to wear isn't the best to start off with.

How was your summer? Did you get all of your bucket list items crossed off?