Death, Dying, and Blogging

I have written and rewritten this post many times, it is hard to put into words how I am feeling right now and why I haven't been blogging.  So, I am just going to say it type it - my dad died.  He died at the beginning of the month and the past month has been a blur.  A blur of cards, an obituary, ashes, sub plans, family drama (his family has been a pain), and stuff that seems to be growing by the day. In the past month I have had to explain what surgery is, fight for my dad's last wishes to be followed, and explain what passed away means to my first graders.  It has been a hard month.

My dad had a fall off his 4-wheeler and ended up in the hospital with a broken hip at the end of last month.  He has had health problems for the past 12 years including hearts attacks, open heart surgery, lung problems, heart problems, a major car accident, trouble breathing, and did I mention heart problems?  A major car accident five years ago left him in tremendous pain and unable to walk without a cane or a walker.  He has just not been the same since the accident.  After this fall he needed surgery to repair or replace his hip and all of his health issue made the surgery complicated, but he got through the surgery and got off the ventilator in only a few hours.  He was doing great.  Then, he just tanked.  Maybe he got tired or it was too much for him - both of which I completely understand.  He was clear with the doctor that he did not want to be hooked up to a machine again, including the ventilator and he did not want to be resuscitated if his heart were to stop.  On the morning of his death, he looked up and saw that we were there and then he quickly and peacefully passed.  He was ready to go and he is in a much better place now.  He is not in any pain anymore and he gets to hang out with grandpa (his dad).

But, that doesn't mean that it is easy for my brother, sister, and me (and the rest of the family) - we still miss our dad. 

Some AMAZING things have happened in the past month too that I can't wait to share with you!  So, bear with me as I take the time to get my head above water. 

Parade Photos

 Michael's dad has a thing for tractors.  He loves them - new, old, running or not, John Deere or International - he doesn't care - he loves them all.  Similar to my love of shoes - except I don't love broken shoes and I am really picky, so I guess the only similarities are that he has lots of tractors and I have lots of shoes and we are both always on the lookout for more.  

Anyway, back to tractors ... there is a parade every year and he wanted to put sin ome tractors.  

So, here they are:

 5 John Deere tractors in all - 2 that he has restored and 3 tractors that belong to friends. 

 Steven on one of his tractors (the same tractor he brought to Farm Day) just as happy as can be!

 Michael on the newly finished B - his dad got this tractor about a year ago and it was in boxes - everything was taken apart and in boxes.  Looks great now!

The best smile I could get out of him ... 

Fall Outfit and Uncomfortable Comfort Shoes

 I'm trying to get into the habit of taking at least one outfit post for the week.  

Here is what I wore earlier in the week:

Dress: Max Studio via Norstrom's Rack, Belt: Some cheap brand from DD's Discounts, Flats: Naturalizer

It is still hot here, but has been cooling down in the morning and evening so it is started to feel like Fall at those times.  I thought orange and leopard print would be a fun combination and I was right!  I like it, but I HATE these shoes.  Hate!  They are made by Naturalizer (which is a comfort brand) and they are painfully uncomfortable.  I have a teaching friend that swears by Naturalizer - but they have never been comfortable for me.  I keep trying different styles but they are never comfortable.  I am tossing these in the trash!

It has been so busy with the start of the school year and getting used to another school!  I LOVE my new school - the parents are amazing, the staff is great, and the kids are so much different in the best possible way.  It is going to be a fantastic year!

What have you all been up to?  Are you getting back into a routine?

Hog Update

 Good morning long lost friends!  I have been a bad blogger, and my posts have been random since I started school - but, they will still be random until I get used to my schedule again.  Hope back to school has been great for you!

Today the butcher is coming out the butcher the last two pigs.  When the last set of pigs were butcher, I told my friend and reader Viktoria I would share pictures to see how big the pigs are before they get butchered.  I quickly snapped some pictures last night as we were moving them into a smaller pen and getting everything ready last night. I know that pictures aren't very good and I'll be honest - I am a little embarrassed that I did such a poor job.  

Remember when we got the pigs?   They were so small!  I'm realizing now that I haven't done a lot of blogging about the pigs.  How we care for our pigs in the heat and of course Flat Aggie's visit to the pigs. 

 They are usually covered in dirt or mud (since it has been hot lately) and last night was no exception.   If you look closely, you can see the rolls of fat on his chin. 

Take a look at the last picture on this post then take a look at this picture - you will be able to see just how much they have grown in just a few months.  

I got up at 5 this morning to bake cookies for the butcher.  I always keep a couple dozen cookie dough balls in the freezer so all I have to do is but bake them. 

Hope you are having a great week!

Almost Wordless Wednesday

 We finished the last room of flooring - finally but it has been worth the wait.

The green walls look amazing with the wood (laminate) flooring and the white molding.  LOVE!! 

Now all we have do to is finish the molding and the hall closet.  

Happy Wednesday!

Teaching Interview Attire

 The past 2 weeks have been a whirlwind of change and just overall craziness.  A few weeks ago I heard about an opening in a rural school and applied just to see what would happen.  I went on an interview and was invited back for a second interview.  About an hour or so after the second interview I got a call asking if I want to be their new first grade teacher.  I was shocked!  I'm a good teacher, but there were tons of people that applied and I never thought I would get the job.  Oh, and I didn't mention that I had a position and had started putting my classroom together there - oh, and it was 2 days before school (at my old school) started.  Yeah - craziness!  I excitedly accepted and went to my principal to turn in my letter of resignation.  I have worked there for 4 years and have made some amazing friends so needless to say there were some tears shed when I told my team.  Then, I packed up my classroom with the help of amazing Michael and his sister.  The next day I went to my old school for meetings where the principal announced that I was leaving and I met the teacher taking over my classroom.  I finished packing and moved everything to my new classroom.  The next day I started school (at my old school) with the new teacher (since she wasn't cleared to be in the classroom yet) and had to tell the parents (some of them requested to have me as their teacher) which was hard.  And the next day I started working at my new school.  I told you it has been busy!  We started school this past Wednesday and Back to School Night was Thursday.  Now, finally I am cleaning the house and taking a little break.  

I am so excited about my new school.  I have an amazing class of 14 children (yes - 14!!! I had 24 last year).  My classroom is a normal size (double or triple my old classroom).  I have only been teaching there for 3 days and I LOVE it!!  My parents are amazing - which would explain why their kids rock too!  Our school has spirit and it really is a community school.  It is the perfect fit for me and I can already tell that this is going to be a fantastic year!!  

The beginning of the school year is always very stressful and I always question if I really do what to teach - I didn't do that this year.  I am still stressed trying to get everything done but I am so happy!  I feel like my love of teaching has been renewed! 

 This is what I wore to the first interview. 

The night before my interview I decided that I hate everything in my closet and didn't have anything to wear.  Does everyone do that or just me?  Some of my clothes don't fit right now (I have gained some weight) and of course I wanted to wear the clothes that don't fit which made it even worse.  So, I headed to The 'Will where I found this blazer and top.  I also bought a skirt!  

The day of the interview I tried on the top again and realized it is about 3 sizes too big - I guess I was feeling really large the night before.  The skirt I bought is also too big - let that be a reminded to us all not to go shopping when we are not feeling our best!  The top looks fine under a blazer, so I wore it anyway.  

Top: Goodwill

Blazer: Goodwill

Pencil skirt: New York and Company

Heels: Steinmart

As far as interview attire goes, I am a huge fan of wearing a suit, but I don't own a skirt suit and I wanted to show a little more personality.  Plus, it was HOT and there was no way I was wearing a pant suit.  I went with a skirt and blazer that don't match and a fun colorful top.  Since teachers don't wear suits everyday, this outfit was perfect for an interview.  

Enough about me - How are you?  What would you wear to an interview?

Wedding Guest Attire

 We had a wedding last weekend, and it was amazingly perfect.  It is weird that such close friends are now married but exciting at the same time!  Here is what I wore:

 I got this dress about a year and a half ago, or in baby years 18 months.  I also wore it to the Young Farmers and Ranchers dinner and I love it!  I wish I have more events to wear the dress to.  

Dress: Ross (brand is Another Time) - $15

Heels: Stein Mart - $20

Clutch: local vintage shop - $5

bracelets: Target (pearls) and Walmart (silver)

Sunglasses: stolen borrowed from Michael

 And here are some bloopers ...

 Michael being funny.

Michael's suit is from Tuxedo Den - if you need a suit DO NOT rent one from there.  There was something wrong with all of the orders for their wedding.  Michael's jacket was too big and when we took it back they were rude and told us that it did fit.  We insisted on getting a smaller one (the correct size) anyway and as you can see - it fits just fine.  The other jacket covered up his crotch and made him look about a foot shorter - not a good look.  One of the groomsmen had holes in his shoes!  Don't rent from them! 

Anyway, back to the outfit. I love dresses!  Last week, I showed you a casual outfit and now a dressed up outfit.  Variety already ... but, don't get used to it - I am usually pretty boring!

What is your go to outfit for weddings?