Things that make me ridiculously happy.

1. The Broncos are 4-9. When we were watching some football recap last week, I actually cackled with laughter when that popped up. This is just one of the many headlines I've taken a picture of.

2.  That Steelers game on Sunday night was not pretty to watch at all, and Scout the Dog and I gave up and went to bed with 8 minutes left because Sunday nights are hard enough: I don't need to deal with that kind of disappointment before bed (this is the same reason I don't check my work email before bed). When Scott came to bed later, he said the Steelers won and I more or less didn't believe him. Also, I think the Ravens played really well but the refs were too old to be able to see. I don't hate the Ravens; I hate their fans. Kind of like with the Broncos.

Which leads to...

Because the Patriots losing makes me as happy as the Steelers winning.

3. Listening to podcasts that reaffirm that what we're doing in schools is likely not working. Knowing there are people out there doing things that go against what we're told to do is heart-warming. It's like a resistance movement.

4.  This kid knows what a pushover I am for her drawings. I look forward to grading her papers for this reason alone. There's about 6 different pups (all unique) that make an appearance each week.

5. My dogs. I'm pretty sure I love them more than anything. I miss them so much when they're not here. Scott takes offense to this (like, don't I miss him?) but I've done without him for long stretches of time. The dogs have been my one constant in the last 4 years.

I asked Scott for a dog picture. He sighed deeply and sent me this. ^

What's making you happy this week? 

Reality of life

If I would tweak these, they would become confessions. They're not confessions, just life in its current realistic state.

1. I don't mind it when my 4:54am alarm goes off in the morning. It means another day is starting and I get coffee. Those are good things and victories at this point in a deployment.

2. I've been spending more and more lunch periods (25 full minutes) sitting at my desk, decompressing. Sitting in the lounge is too much. I just need to relax.

3. It's still too hot to wear pants to work.

I bought this shirt on Amazon and I'm impressed with it. 

Skirt is Old Navy (on clearance now! I think I paid $15). Shoes are fake TOMS from Target. 

This was my Friday outfit because jeans don't work when it's 74* in your classroom by 9am.

4. Speaking of the Steelers, Mike Tomlin said what I've been thinking for weeks: In last night's pre-game interview, when asked if he's addressed taking a knee during the national anthem with his team, he said it's something they've never formally talked about because they have an army ranger on the team and the team probably is sensitive to and understands his sacrifice and the sacrifice of those like him. Villanueva's comments on the issue are brilliant. (The linked video doesn't have to do with the Steelers, but the article does.)

5. You all were right: I appreciate my weekends now (that didn't take long) but Sunday afternoons are still awful.

6. I thought about getting a pedicure yesterday but I was a little too lazy to invest the drive, the time, and the $30. I decided a better investment would be to buy my own bottle of OPI Strawberry Margarita and do it myself. This is the color I always get so I might as well just pay $8 for it.

Hello, Monday.