Perfection

If I had an unlimited amount of money, this is only a fraction of what you would find in my closet. Please note that I am a size 9, my birthday is in just over a week (February 9!), and I would be happy to take an of these amazing shoe specimens off your hands. Just let me know.

Stuart Weitzman "Valleygal"

$135.72 at 6pm.com

Stuart Weitzman "Sashay"

$143.91 at 6pm.com

Kate Spade "Georgia"

$202.64 at zappos.com

Kate Spade "Gwennie"

$294.95 at zappos.com

Kate Spade "Hera"

$318 at nordstrom.com

Kate Spade Clarice

$298 at katespade.com

Kate Spade Scarlett

On sale for $174 at katespade.com

Christian Louboutin Petal Sandal

$995 at neimanmarcus.com

Valentine Half d'Orsay Pump

$695 at neimanmarcus.com

Christian Louboutin Round-Toe Pump

$625 at neimanmarcus.com

*all photos from listed websites

Weird things in the bathroom

I work as a school counselor - but not just a normal counselor, of course. I am employed by the Chamber of Commerce and work through a grant program. The purpose of my job: working with kids who have consistent and habitual truancy issues, are failing three or more classes, and/or have discipline issues. My actual title: Stay in School Counselor. I literally try to get these kids to stay in school and get a high school diploma.

I've been working here since October 1, and I can't lie - I love my job. My kids are great (albeit usually unmotivated and hence very frustrating to me), and I love working at a school and - of course, if this week of snow days is any indication - being on a school schedule. I also love that I'll be working part-time during the summer months. Lovely!

I work at one of the two high schools in Bloomington. I have only two coworkers who do what I do - one of them works at the other Bloomington high school, and the second works at a high school in a neighboring district that falls under our grant program.

My coworker Becky, who works at the other Bloomington high school, just left for maternity leave, and I will be covering both Bloomington high schools in her absence. Today is my first day at high school number two. So far, so good - she has a much bigger office than I do, and it's feeling very luxurious! Also, the staff seems really great and friendly, and I know I will enjoy my two months here.

A few moments ago, I ventured out of my office to the staff bathroom. Its contents...were disturbing. Maybe I'm being weird or something - you can tell me! - but, inside the single, women's staff bathroom were the following:

1. Two aerosol cans of air freshener
2. One aerosol can of Aquanet (or something similar)
3. One wide-tooth comb (????)
4. One makeup bag or discreet feminine products bag that was left in there for some reason....
5. Dental floss (?????????)
6. A toothbrush. Singular.
7. Body mist

Okay. Some of that is weird, right? I mean...are you telling me that the entire female staff population of this high school shares dental floss? And the comb....? The toothbrush?

And to answer your question...no, these are NOT items all left accidentally in the bathroom this morning. I was here last week, too, prepping for Becky's absence, and...all that stuff was there.

In my normal staff bathroom at my normal high school, it is just...a bathroom, and there is usually a small seasonal decoration along with a suggested reading list of new books. I much prefer this. Thoughts?

Back to work tomorrow

So, it's official:  school is (finally) reopening tomorrow.  Friday.  Thankfully, I'll ease back into work gradually, as we have a two hour delay.  So, I get to go to work at 9:30/10 instead of 7:30/8.  Definitely a plus!  I am a little surprised that the school district is operating tomorrow, as literally every single surrounding district has announced that there will be no school on Friday.  But to be honest...I'm kind of ready to go back to work.  These last few days have been...dull.  

Things I have accomplished during my three-day, mid-week, snow-fueled vacation:

• I cleaned one of our two bathrooms
• I cleaned the kitchen and completely reorganized it
• I have kept 100% up-do-date on my google reader, to the point where I am hitting "refresh" constantly and get frustrated when none of the 120 blogs I follow have new posts
• And..........that's about it.  Wait, that's not true.  I have cooked a full meal for my husband every day besides today, when he had to leave for class before I got home from a chiropractor appointment.  AND I even made him cookies.  So there.

Things I have not accomplished this week:

• Pretty much everything else.

I think I'm going to try and add something to my accomplishments and do some laundry...which really doesn't sound fun at all.  How do you spend your snow days?

Fun giveaway!

One of my favorite bloggers, Mrs. Newlywed, has a great giveaway going on at her blog.  She is giving away some super cute Lilly Pulitzer stationery.  Adorable!  Check out her blog, asap.  It definitely makes me laugh daily.  And enter to win!

Why I love working at a school, part THREE

Yes, you read that right.  Part three.  I will be off tomorrow for my third snow day in a row.  I worked Monday.  And...so far, that's it.  

The snow is still pretty serious outside...I had to make a quick CVS run earlier today, and there was nothing quick about it.  It took me approximately 30 minutes to clean the snow and ice off of my car and actually get out of the parking spot.  Driving to CVS, I realized that Bloomington was DEAD.  There was basically nobody out.  

Not sure what's been happening out there since...because I have pledged to not leave my apartment again until everything reopens!  

Sad

I'm not the first blogger to post this today, and I certainly won't be the last.  I was so sad to hear that Domino magazine will be printing it's last issue in March.  Another great mag bites the dust.  Is anyone besides me still mourning Blueprint?

Snow day!!!!

Okay, people, this time we have a SERIOUS snow day!  The schools are closed, the government is closed, and Indiana University is closed.  I myself haven't seen this much snow in a long time.  Finally, that midwestern winter I've been expecting!  When I woke up, this is what I saw:

I took Oscar outside and we played in the dog park.  I'd also like to use this time to pledge my undying love for my Lands End down coat.  I SAT DOWN IN THE SNOW and didn't get cold or wet.  I heart you, Lands End!  Oscar LOVED the snow and had a great time reconnecting with his part-Husky roots.  Yay snow!

Why I love working at a school

We had a snow day today, which was amazing.

And...I just got the official word that we're having a snow day tomorrow, too!!!!!

At this rate, I'll never have to use a vacation day!

Wedding details

Last week, I received the proof book of all of our wedding photos from the photographer.  I now have to pick out 240 photos for our album.  Not. very. fun.  However, it HAS been great looking at all the photos in a book, rather than trying to blindly find them by file number on iphoto.  Some of the photos that really struck me were the photos Patrick (best photographer ever) took of all the wedding details.  Here are some pretty pictures for your Tuesday night viewing pleasure!  All photos by Patrick Abel, Special Moments Photography.

Kate Spade, postscript

I thought I would post my favorite photo of my Kate Spade wedding shoes.  I love them, and I love the motion of this photo.  My amazing photographer asked me to spin around so that he could take some of these shots.  I thought he was crazy at the time, and I felt like an idiot spinning around in the hallway pre-wedding when Matt's ENTIRE family was walking up.  Oh well.  When I saw this...I decided it was all worth it!

Photo by Patrick Abel, Special Moments Photography

Oh, Kate.

Kate, Kate, Kate.  Why do you do this to me?

I've discussed this before, so perhaps you remember my unhealthy addiction love for all things Kate Spade.  We have Kate china, Kate vases, I wore Kate shoes on my wedding day, and for goodness sake...I even have a Kate passport folder.  Oh, and a small clutch, of course.  Which is actually a pencil case, which means I also have Kate pencils and erasers.  

I got an email today about a sale at one of my favorite websites, Plaza Too.  Are you familiar with Plaza Too?  If not, get your butts over there asap because they have amazing shoe sales on designer stuff.  These amazingly beautiful purple Kelley pumps that I absolutely must have immediately would REALLY like to have in my closet are on sale for $83.99 from $328.  Tell me that's not an amazing deal??!!  The only problem is that THEY DON'T HAVE THEM IN MY SIZE.  

Please, I am begging you.  Has anyone seen these gorgeous purple Kelley pumps in a size 9?  On sale for under $100?  You will make a friend for life if you pass on this invaluable information.

Snow day!

11:37pm, Monday night:  I realized that not only was it snowing outside, but it was sleeting as well.  Took the dog out and he returned covered in ice.

12:01am, Tuesday morning:  Checked blackberry with hope as I went to bed, wishing for a snow day.

2:17am:  Woke up restlessly, checked bberry again.  No email.

4:20am:  Woke up, again.  Still, no email.  Maybe it didn't snow enough?

5:47am:  A telltale red star next to my email account on my bberry.  SCHOOL'S CLOSED!

5:48am:  Went back to sleep for several hours.

Blah Monday

Monday's highlights:  

-Accidentally oversleeping and therefore getting a fantastically full night of sleep. 

-Getting some good paperwork completed at work.

-Sampling one of the weight watchers "twinkies" and absolutely loving it.

-Making a killer steak dinner with crispy polenta and corn salsa, prompting Mr. Smith to say that it was like we were eating in a different country.  Still getting to the bottom of what that actually means, but I'm 100% positive it was meant as a compliment.

-Making another great weight watchers recipe, chocolate and cinnamon quesadillas.  Um, incredibly delicious.  Kind of a splurge at 4 points, but...sooooo tasty.  Comment if you'd like the recipe.  

-Watching the movie Mr. and Mrs. Smith.  Ever since we got married (and thus became Mr. and Mrs. Smith) I've been wanting to see this movie again.  I got a kick out of it!

Monday's lowlights (?):

-Actually having to get out of bed to go to work at all.  When I woke up (late), it was light out, and I could see snow on the ground.  Checked blackberry several times for an email saying school was closed.  No such luck.

-Running out of hot water for my shower...for the gazillionth time.  We have some serious hot water issues here.

-Forgetting my ipod - AGAIN - on a paperwork day.  How interesting is a spreadsheet without music?  NOT INTERESTING AT ALL.  Case closed.

Well, at least the highlights outweigh the lows, right?  How was your Monday?  Am I the only one already counting down to Friday again?

What can I say...

It's the weekend.  And it appears to be kind of a boring one, as always.  Yesterday, I said goodbye to my fab coworker and friend Becky, who is leaving with her husband this week for China to bring back their second child, a baby boy!  I am so excited for her, and I cannot wait to meet little Trey, their new addition.  

After that...went home, had a killer workout thanks to Jillian Michaels and her 30 Day Shred (seriously, though, she's kind of a bitch, right?  I've never watched the Biggest Loser, but...yeah, I can see how people are scared into losing weight with her!).  Matt came home from a run while I was mid-workout, which was a little embarrassing.  Nobody likes being caught in the middle of a fierce DVD workout.

Last night...we went to Borders, where I am currently reading a book in installments (yes, in the store) to avoid actually buying it.  Sad that I cannot actually remember the title of the book, but merely the location in Borders.  Whatever it is, it's by the same girl who wrote The Devil Wears Prada and I am enjoying it thoroughly.

Today....woke up and went to the winter farmer's market.  It was...not very exciting, as most things are grown in the summer.  I managed to pick up some onions, sweet potatoes, a pound of organic, grass-fed ground beef, and some cheese.  Delish!  After that...a pricey trip to Kroger, and then I went to get my hair cut/colored.  

Fact:  I love getting my hair done.  I feel like I'm being pampered.  So, it was fun.  My hair lady is a lovely 22 year old mother of two.  She always makes me feel old by talking about all the fun stuff she's doing, all the clubs and bars and parties and friends and everything else.  She also has a striking resemblance to Natalie Portman, when she had her hair cut super-short.  Anyway, that was fun, but I felt like I had aged 5 additional years thinking about how we so rarely go out and do anything.  Sigh.

So, now it's Saturday night.  Dinner is currently roasting in the oven (orange marmalade-glazed turkey and sweet potatoes!) and, through some sort of Blockbuster snafu, we currently have five movies to choose from for this evening.  Not super exciting, right?  Oh well.

Tomorrow may be perhaps more exciting?  I have another date with Jillian Michaels, and in the evening Matt and I are driving up to Greencastle to meet my granddad for dinner.  He is flying into Indy tomorrow and then doing some work in Greencastle.  So, that should be fun!  Also, tomorrow is my grandma's birthday.  Happy birthday, Grandma!

Blackberry Art Day

This morning as I drove to work, there was the most gorgeous sunrise. I decided to stop briefly to shoot a quick photo with my trusty Blackberry. Which of course led to a review of several photos currently in my bberry...and I thought I would take a post to share some of them!

This one really makes me laugh! This photo is from happy hour, shortly before I moved from DC to Indiana. My friend D, a native New Yorker, loves hot dogs more than anyone I have ever met. She ordered this massive foot-long hot dog during happy hour. Love!

My favorite boys - my husband Matt and our dog, Oscar. Clearly two peas in a pod! This was taken right after we moved into our new apartment in Bloomington...we literally had no furniture for a few days as we waited for the Army movers to come!

Oscar posing for the camera...I mean, Oscar resting with his head on his favorite stuffed dog.

The morning after our wedding - I loved seeing my wedding dress casually hanging up in the hotel closet next to the robe and my winter coat. Before the wedding, I was so petrified that something would happen to it, or it would get dirty. The morning after...it just didn't matter.

Hmm, this one is a little dark. I clearly should have used my bberry flash. Anyway...this picture makes me laugh - a great shot of Oscar and his usual partner in crime, Big Mean Kitty*.

Amazing sunset on Christmas Day, near the end of our 6 hour drive from my parents' house (Michigan) to Matt's parents' house (Indiana)

Oscar enjoying an unseasonably warm day of Indiana winter.

The St. Louis Arch, as taken through the car window in the backseat of my mom's car during the 11 hour drive from Bloomington to Norman, Oklahoma for New Years.

This is the gorgeous sunrise I saw this morning. Isn't it amazing? Too bad it's a bit blurry. I think it's safe to say that bberry cameras are less than perfect.

Last but not least...the sock/shoe combo I am rocking today. What exactly happened here? I know that I dressed in the dark, but...still. Sigh. I feel totally and completely eighties-tacular. And please note that both my shoes AND socks are from Target.

So, there you have it! My life via bberry photos. I hope you enjoyed!

*do you have a dog? if so, please run to your nearest petsmart/petco and buy a Big Mean Kitty. It is in the canvas-y toy section. Oscar is a serious chewer, and...these things are completely indestructible!

Embarrassing

It's been two days and I still have zero followers. This is embarrassing, so I am removing my "followers" gadget until people start reading my blog and therefore I feel loved and popular.

xoxo,
Mrs. Smith

It starts today.

Tomorrow is the big day!

Who else is super excited about the Inauguration tomorrow?  Come on, I know someone's with me.  Watching all the stuff on the news about DC and the Inauguration really has me excited.  Several people have asked if I wish that Matt and I still lived in DC so that we could take part in some of the activities.  I'd have to say yes.  And no.  

Knowing what it's like to navigate around the city during large tourist/visitor seasons (the Cherry Blossom Festival, 4th of July, really all of summer), I have to say that I'm glad I don't have to deal with all the craziness.  Today on the news, I heard that law enforcement has closed of three square miles of downtown DC.  For a local, that's a bitch.  Additionally, they have closed certain metro stations - I'm thinking maybe the Smithsonian station, because they close that during July 4th.  Once again - for a local, these issues make it kind of tough to get around.  Add to that the fact that, were we still living in DC, I'd still be working at GWU Hospital - a mere few blocks from the excitement and the White House.  What a nightmare.  I can only imagine the influx of emergency room patients the hospital will have tomorrow!  

If we were still in DC, and Matt was still in the Army doing EOD work, the Inauguration would also be a nightmare for him.  He has said for the past two years that he is so happy he won't have to work this event - it will be absolute chaos.

But on the other hand...I keep thinking of the energy, the patriotism, and - what the heck! - the celebrities who are plastered all over my former city!  What fun!  Oprah broadcasted her show at the Kennedy Center today - literally just a couple of blocks from my former place of employment.  I sure would love to see a celebrity.  So far, the only "celebrities" I've seen in DC (or anywhere, actually) are Laura Bush, Dick Cheney, and Dr. Sanjay Gupta (love him, by the way!  Another Michigan grad!).  And to be honest, I'm not really sure they count as "celebrities" - mostly just persons of interest.  

This is truly a historical time for Washington DC, the nation, and the world.  Do I wish I were there?  Absolutely, kind of.  You know, it's complicated.  But I know that tomorrow, along with millions of other Americans, I'll be glued to the TV screen, watching President-elect Barack Obama make history.

Become my follower!

Happy MLK Day, everyone!  I hope you are enjoying your three day weekend.

I added a "Followers" gadget over there on the right.  If you like/read my blog, let me know!  Right now it seems pretty lonely over here at Post Smith, seeing as how I have ZERO followers.  I'd love to know who's reading - if anyone!

Oops

Tonight, Matt and I went out for dessert and coffee at Farm Bloomington. My treat, since the other day I had to bribe him into watching Made of Honor with me. Sigh. I ordered a honey vanilla latte, which ended up being the size of a small bucket.

About halfway into the incredibly rich beverage, I realized that it tasted just too good. I had forgotten to order it with skim milk. Sigh. That's only, like, a day's worth of weight watchers points, right?

Signs you can tell it's Sunday...

1.  I changed my blog template for the second time today.

2.  I am completely caught up on my google reader...and I had way over 100 unread posts.

3.  I made chili (isn't that a weekend food?)

Okay, I know I'm going a little crazy with the template changes, but I totally fell in love with this one this morning.  I just had some technical difficulties with uploading this darling.  A bowl of chili and a very large honey latte later, my mind cleared and now my blog is beautiful!  Yay!

Why?

Why is it that the toddler who lives in the apartment above us feels that it is completely necessary to run around his/her room, jumping up and down and screaming...at midnight?  

And why is it that his/her parents seem to be cool with this, and in fact seem to enjoy running around and jumping up and down at midnight too?

Why was that same toddler awake at ass o'clock this morning, screaming in the bathroom?  Which is directly above our bathroom?  Which is a mere four steps away from our bed?  

And why are the walls/ceilings/floors here sooooo paperthin that we hear our upstairs neighbors peeing whenever we are near either of our two bathrooms???

Why why why why why?

New look

Hi there!  Those of you who don't read my blog in google reader may notice that Post Smith has a new look.  I've been looking for a good template for the last few days, but have been kind of lazy about it.  Then I noticed that Lisa updated her amazing blog (check it out here!), and I realized that something had to be done about my boring ole blog.  

So, ta da!  Here's the new look.  I hope you like it.  And I hope you are enjoying your long weekend!

But on a lighter note...

...how can I be down in the dumps when Oscar is curled up in a little dog ball on the floor next to me, loudly dreaming?  His feet are twitching, his nose is wrinkled, and he is making those weird little bubbly noises he makes when he has a really good dream.

Adorable, no?

Friday night reflections

It seems as though this week has flown by - seriously, I think it was just Sunday about a minute ago.  But this week was not without some emotional challenges, for sure.

First and foremost, I learned that a former coworker of mine in DC has lost her son, a 23 year old Marine who was killed in Afghanistan.  When we were in DC and Matt was still in the Army, she and I would talk about the military all the time.  Roni, I'm thinking about you!

Second, I learned that another coworker of mine from DC ended up in the emergency room, and from there was transferred to another area hospital for brain surgery.  Even though I haven't been in DC for over four months and my communication with my amazing friends at the hospital has been limited, I was totally shocked and have been extremely concerned about her.  Thankfully, from what I have learned, she is doing great and plans on returning to work next week.  

Whew!  And, if that isn't enough turmoil, I saw two new students this week - and both informed me that they had been raped.  Talk about a downer work week.  

Additionally, I had an extremely vivid dream the other night featuring my beloved Grammy, who passed away in March.  I miss you, Grammy!

I'm looking forward to the long weekend, and hope to relax and do some fun cooking.  I hope you have a great weekend!

TGIF

What a delightful morning. Woke up, checked the weather. Saw that it was -20 with the windchill, and weather.com suggested that I not go outside. Oh well. Got ready for work and walked to the car...the car wouldn't start. Perhaps it is giving me a hard time for taking it away from Virginia, the land of mild winters? Not sure. Went back inside, told Matt the car wouldn't start. He bundled up, came outside, sat in the car...informed me that the car wouldn't start, because it's too cold.

Walked to his car, which thankfully started asap. Decided that this would be a great day to finally drive his truck...for the first time. It seems a bit more responsive than mine, and I spent the 15 minute drive to work lurching forward on the gas and then accidentally slamming on the breaks.

Walked into school and realized, in a flash, that I didn't have my office key. It's on the key ring with my car keys, naturally. Sighed a deep sigh. Went and finally found someone to open my office door.

Thank goodness it's Friday.

Update

It's official - I have another "cold weather" two hour delay tomorrow morning. Hurrah! Three cheers to going to work at 9:30 instead of 7:30!

Slacker

Yep, that's me. I have been seriously remiss in my blogging over the past few weeks...well, really since the wedding. I will try and change this, I swear. It's one of my New Years Goals. No, not resolutions, because I don't make those. Because, you know, you don't actually keep those and then you get all down in the dumps about it.

Anyway, I guess the problem with my lack of blogging has been a lack of internet at home. Thankfully, that was just rectified and our internet works once again. Also, I feel like I never really have anything interesting to blog about. Work is work, and I don't have any good quotes or kid stories right now...but don't worry, I'll keep you posted.

This morning, we had a two-hour delay due to cold weather. Now, call me crazy, but...we're in the midwest, right? Where it's frequently cold between the months of October and May? Granted, it is cold today, but nothing unmanageable. I guess the school district is worried it's too cold for kids to wait outside for the bus. I don't remember EVER having either a "cold delay" or a "cold day" in high school...and that was in freaking Michigan, several hours north of Bloomington!

Anyway, I'm not complaining. And the word on the street is that we're having another cold delay tomorrow. That would be the fourth delay since last Tuesday!

Score.

2008 in review

I know, I know, it's been a couple of weeks since I've blogged.  And while I'd love to give you the lowdown of my holiday season, I thought it best to instead write the obligatory New Years post.  I thought I would review each month's highlights of 2008:

January

1st: Celebrated my second New Years with Matt, and our good friends Jennifer and Ryan, by eating a great dinner out at Geranio in Old Town Alexandria.  Please, friends, if you live in the DC metro area, eat at Geranio!  Fantastic, creative Italian food at reasonable prices.  Yum.

7th (I think): Went on a bachelorette cruise to the Bahamas with Jenn - fabulous!

February

9th: Celebrated my 26th birthday!  Can't believe it's been almost a year...which means I'm almost 27.

14th: 2nd Valentine's Day with Matt...although he was in Africa at the time.  Amazingly, flowers showed up to work from him anyway!  

March

7th: Celebrated 2 year anniversary with Matt at our favorite sushi restaurant.  Oh, and yeah, we got engaged!

April

12th: I was the maid of honor at Jenn and Ryan's spectacular wedding.  Matt was the best man.  We were so thrilled to be a part of their big day!

May

21st: Matt's 26th birthday.  We celebrated, for the third year in a row, by going to the Taste of Arlington.  I will miss that tradition!

July

30th: Matt's first day of Terminal Leave from the Army.

September

5th: My last day of work at GWU Hospital.  Very sad - I still miss everyone there SO MUCH!

8th: Movers!

9th: Matt and I moved from Alexandria, Virginia, to Bloomington, Indiana.  When we got to Indiana on this day, I met the majority of Matt's family - sisters, nieces, nephews, grandparents.

13th: I had a fantastic bridal shower in Michigan.

October

1st: My first day of work at my new job.  Hoorah!

3rd-5th: Amazing bachelorette trip to South Beach!  A truly incredible weekend.

11th: Wonderful bridal shower in Bedford, Indiana.  So much fun!

November

8th: Got married!

10th-19th: Spent the most fabulous honeymoon in Costa Rica!

27th: First Thanksgiving as a married couple, first Thanksgiving with Matt's family.  I made pie!

December

19th-21st: Super fun weekend in Chicago with Lisa and Randy - yay!

21st-25th: Christmas in Michigan.  Once again, our first Christmas as a married couple.  It was a wonderful Christmas, and we spent the latter part of it in Indiana with Matt's family!  Double the holiday, double the fun!

29th-Jan 2nd: New Years spent in Norman, Oklahoma, with my cousins.  A fabulous time!  It somehow still just didn't feel the same without Jenn and Ryan.

All in all, 2008 was the most fabulous year.  Most notably, I got engaged, moved cross-country, and then got married.  Crazy, right?  I have no idea what 2009 will hold for us, but I can only think that things will keep getting better!