Blog Star! Mrs. Monologues Link up!

Thanks to Mrs. Monologues for hosting this sweet link up!

I thought I was a little late to this party, but I see people still linking up...so I figured I'd give it a try!  My computer was having a life crisis yesterday...seems to be back to normal today! I guess that's what happens when you don't do updates or defrag for two years. Oops.

I'm not even sure what to say about myself, so I guess I'll just start rambling...I'm really good at that!

• I'm a high school English and drama teacher
• I'm married to the coolest guy around (he's a mailman and loves comic books)
• My parents are retired teachers and my brother is an English teacher, too
• I recently started running again after a 17 year hiatus
• I'm still VERY slow...I can't break a 10 minute mile!
• I used to sing and play guitar...I still sing, but mostly in my car
• I have dreams of being a one-hit wonder
• I never like my own hair--it doesn't ever turn out how I picture it
• I'm terrible at posting pictures!  I'll do better, I promise
• I love making lists
• I paint my nails once a week...my students think I match my nails to my clothes (pure coincidence)
• I've always wanted to live in NYC...but I know I'll never move from Michigan (even though I hate driving in snow!) 
• I have three cats and would have tons more if people wouldn't call me crazy cat lady

Please stop by! I love new friends :)

<3 Gretchen

Mojito Madness

I could not resist this color when I saw it at Target!

Essie's Mojito Madness (spellcheck wants me to change that to monitor...)

Sorry for my janky polish application and that fact that it appears I haven't applied lotion since 1982.

Essie is hit or miss for me...I love the colors, but sometimes the application leaves something to be desired. This one fit the bill...I could almost get away with one coat, but I always apply two.

Enjoy!

<3 Gretchen

School's Out for Summer...:)

Hey Ladies! :)
It's the first "real" day of summer vacation...and I had an eye appointment scheduled. Why does that always seem like a good idea in April?
The weird thing? My eyes didn't change! I don't think that has ever happened.
I guess Friday was technically our first day of break, but I was still at school cleaning my room.  With all the senior stuff going on, I didn't have time! My grades were done before I left on Thursday, though, so that's a good thing.
I'm up to two miles per run! That makes me so happy! I'm super jealous of all of you who can run 4-5 miles...or even half marathons! I don't think I'll ever get to that point.  How long did it take you to get to 4-5 miles? I feel like I'm super slow and it takes me forever (slow and steady wins the race is constantly playing in my head as I run slowly...)
I need to relax for a few days weeks before I start working on grants, reading, and revamping my classroom activities for next year! I have a few shows I'm thinking about...I'll let you know what they are once I get the rights to them! :)
Sorry for no pictures again. That's a goal for the summer.
Happy Monday!

<3 Gretchen

Monday Mashup ala Mrs. Monologues! Link up!

Thanks, Mrs. Monologues, for hosting this link up! :)

Happy Memorial Day, loves! Go hug a veteran!

Running:

So I started running (again...after a super long break...like 17 years...wow)...some days I can run 2 miles with nary a problem, and today it was tough to run 1.26 miles. What gives?  Can I blame my allergies?

I do find it difficult to push myself to run more even though I want to and would like to lose some weight.  Any tips from you gorgeous runners out there?  Help a lady out :).  I was sidelined for about two weeks with a hip injury (which still comes and goes). Hrm.

Allergies:

So as I'm running (and wheezing) today, I see these fluffy, white things floating around in the air.  Thanks, pollen. Love you too. My lungs are not big fans.

Weather:

It is HOT here today in Michigan. It will be cooling down to normal Michigan temps...but I'm not sure I want it to...I like the heat :).

Work:

I need a break! Thank goodness we're out for summer shortly. I'm getting desperate.  It will be nice to read for fun and not for grading/educational purposes for a while.

Wine:

Need I say more?   I've been branching out a bit with things like Pinot Noir and Grigio, but I find I only like them at restaurants, not at home. At home (and, if we're being totally honest, at restaurants, too) I like the sweet stuff.  Maybe I don't buy the right kinds of pinot?  Who knows. Moscato and Lambrusco are still my favs. (Blogger says I'm spelling Pinot wrong...?)

Well, loves, have an awesome day!

Go link up with Mrs. Monologues! :)

<3 Gretchen