First IUI

I had my first IUI 2 weeks ago. Today the nurse called after yesterday's blood test and said that I wasn't pregnant. :( 

Heartbroken, frustrated, defeated are all pretty much words that describe how I feel. This has been going on for TWO YEARS. 

How many IUIs am I suppose to go through? How many more failures? What's wrong with me? Because according to the doctor, both my hubby and I are fine, normal, healthy. 

It's hard not to want to throw in the towel on all of this. It's hard to be on social media when everyone is showing off their bumps and babies their pride and joys. 

Back to the drawing board. Maybe it wasn't meant in God's plan for me to be a parent. Maybe I'm to selfish or to self absorbed to be a parent. Maybe being a teacher to other's children is all I am cut out for. Maybe fur babies are all I can handle.  For those of you saying or wondering if IVF is next for us, it isn't. We just don't have that kind of money saved. 

That's it for now. 

Something to remember..

Starting Over

I am so thankful that after moving to Ohio for 3 weeks then back to AZ, I was able to find an art opening in a new school district. It's been a learning experience these past 2 weeks since school has resumed and even though it is my 10th year teaching, I felt much like a newbie teacher since I was the one new to a newer school new staff.




Here's the "before" shots






Storage room!



Here's one finished section of the back of the room.




Stay tuned! 

Fertility Update

I wish I had amazing news to share, but I don't. Infact it's just another day for me and the hubs when it comes to the baby making business. We Got the green light from having that procedure I had done back in May to start trying again. Given our turbulent moving situation (AZ to OH back to AZ) needless to say I've been pretty stressed and neither of us really were "Into" really trying hard core so to speak. 

I noticed last month I had to short of a luteal phase which really bummed me out since you can't get pregnant with to short of a window. This month I went 12 days after ovulation before my period decided to show up. (It was 5 days early) 

Disappointed we both are, and are eager to get back to our doctor to see what's next for us, since clearly the on our own thing hasn't worked for us. (Over a year and a half of trying) 

Of course there are all the emotions of feeling mad/sad/envious as I scroll through my instagram feed and see all my "friends" real life and just insta friends are all knocked up, expecting etc etc...Of course I am genuinely happy for them, because that's the kind of person I am. But in the same fleeting feeling, I can't help but ask God, why not me? Am I to selfish of a person to be a mom? Is there a reason why God doesn't want me to have a baby? Would I not be a good mother? As I tell my students all the time, life's hard, wear a helmet. But sometimes no matter how padded that helmet is, you still feel a little bit of the pain. I had no idea that trying to have a baby would be so hard. I spend the last 10 years trying to NOT ruin my life, and can't help but wonder if all those years on the pill have ruined me for the future? 

Such a tough spot to be in. Well, that's my baby making update. What's new with everyone else? 

Oh Captain my captain our fearful trip is done...

“We don’t read and write poetry because it’s cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. Medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for. To quote from Whitman, ‘O me! O life!… of the questions of these recurring; of the endless trains of the faithless… of cities filled with the foolish; what good amid these, O me, O life?’ Answer. That you are here - that life exists, and identity; that the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. That the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be?”

—  Robin Williams as John Keating inDead Poets Society

I have no words...I don't know why I took it so personal to hearing about Robin Williams dying. It just hit me like a ton of bricks. He made me laugh. True humor in movies not stupid funny as you often see that is forced in certain actors but genuine funny comedic roles/personality he was. I've never felt sad when a celebrity dies. Until I heard about Robin.  

It just goes to show that no matter what kind of life you lead - depression is a very serious matter & can effect anyone RIP Robin. My DVDS of Good Morning Vietnam and Hook and Awakenings will be getting lots of use this weekend..

Fifty Shades Of Grey - Trailer

It's finally here! The teaser trailer of the much anticipated triology Fifty Shades of Grey!

I am still not completely sold on Dakota Johnson playing Ana Steele but I guess I will have to go and see the movie my self to see if she pulled it off or not! :) Who's going to see it this February?!

And I read that Beyonce re-recorded her song in this version just for the movie specifically! She makes it fit with the movie so perfectly!

The time you move across country for a job, only to turn around and go right back to where you started...

Without getting into to much detail, I am just writing a small update-- to get my feelings about the lastest events going on my life.

My husband recently took a job that moved us across country, only to arrive and have it "not work out" to simply put it. (I can't give much detail on it, as we are probably going to take legal action regarding the events) 

Our home in Phoenix never sold, so we have somewhere to go home to, and thankfully my husband's previous job are rehiring him back. 

As for me and my job, I am not so lucky, and was recently told by my former Principal that he filled my spot only a mere few days ago. I was devastated to say the least. 

Right now most slots for teaching have been filled, and I am probably going to be job less when school resumes. Not a good feeling. I can sub, at least that will bring in something, but the downside of course is that most teachers don't miss any school till Nov/Dec! 

Prayers and positive thoughts are much needed and welcomed. 


If any of you are in Arizona, and know someone who knows someone who is a Principal that needs an art teacher, don't hesitate to give them my name! Obviously my blog showcases much of my student's work and achievements! 

I know there is the old saying "Everything happens for a reason" and it will all work out, but I am terrified at the moment, simply because I have always had a teaching job for 9 years! 

So long Arizona, Hello Ohio!

After 9 glorious years in AZ, my husband has taken a job relocating us back to his home state of Ohio. Oh Ohio. We have such a love hate relationship. Sans Snow. Sans humidity. Sans many overcast days. I thought long ago to myself "Hey I did my time 4/1/2 years of college here was plenty!" Eh wrong! Somewhere into the journey of growing up, having my own job, getting married, being a fur momma (and all other adult responsibilities that come along with it) I got the gentle reminder about family and how important it is to have family around you.

By relocating back to Ohio, my hubby is able to be reunited with his family, and what is now my family! I've always been a loner with my folks not living in AZ and my brother also living in a different state, I've never given to much thought as to not having family around me. I thought it was normal. As we age, and in hopes of starting our own family, we knew that having family around needed to happen. The good thing if my hubby and his career in the medical field is his ability to bounce around pretty easily. Me in the teaching career however is not so easy!!

I've already taken all the necessary steps into getting my teaching certificate to transfer over, but finding the job bit esp as a special area teacher is no easy task! 

I don't know how many readers I have in the Cleveland area, but if any of you know of an opening for an art teacher, please let me know! It's very difficult to get a leg up when I am an outsider coming in to this city. I think all my posts and pictures on my blog speak for my integrity and passion I have for my job! :) 

Just call her the ninja hula hooper

If you haven't seen this already, you MUST check out this Ohio girl named Rachel Lust she has MAD SKILLS at hula hooping! Hula hooping is a great core work out for your abs along with a great cardio work out! The music she has in this video is SICK! Very catchy and good to work out to! 

Last Post

If you follow me on instagram, I made the annoucement that I have officially decided to shut down the blog. ( At least for now!) 
 Well, upon making that decision, I had people emailing me left and right saying they couldn't find "pins" from pinterest from my blog etc etc since I had "deleted" the blog! I know how frustrating that can be esp if you are a teacher trying to find directions or info on a potential art lesson and then wham! The picture is a dead end. So rather than cause frustrated teachers who apparently still view my blog every now and again for art ideas, I "undeleted" it, but am letting most of you fellow bloggers know I won't really be updating it anymore. 

What was once fun 4 years ago (blogging) isn't really all that fun anymore and has really died down compared to other social media outlets that are all the rage these days. 

So, for all you fellow art teachers that do follow me, I will still continue to upload all my art photos to my flickr account so you can find them there. As for all you bloggers/twitter peeps, you can still find me on instagram. 

The beauty of instagram is that it's short and sweet and to the point. Picture plus caption. That's really a shortened form of blogging these days anyway. 

Let It Go

If you have kids, you are probably "Frozened" out! Or, if you are an educator like me, you can also recite the words from the replay button in your classroom due to the overplaying of the soundtrack during art lessons! 

I found this a month ago and forgot to share, but this man has some serious talent! 

Makes you feel like if they ever wanted a sequel and an actor couldn't make it to fill in their voice they could totally hire this guy! 

The guy? Brian Hull is actually just 22 years old and is a vocal performance student! I'd say he has a bright future as an impersonator! 

American Blogger

I haven't been on facebook a ton lately, (can you blame me!?! Everyone is pregnant or knocked up or on kid 2,3, or 4!)  but I did log in and see a friend post the trailer to Chris Weigand's American Blogger documentary.

As I scrolled down to read the over abundant comments, I couldn't help but shake my head in disgrace. TONS of women were BASHING the women that were "chosen" to be in the documentary. Basically saying all the women weren't "real" women or "barbies" and real women bloggers don't look like that.
See for youself 
Exhibit A (Haters)

Are you serious? I couldn't believe it. All I gathered from it was your typical HS drama of girls being jealous of other girls. Girls being jealous that they weren't "picked" to be interviewed. Girls being angry at other women of having overly clean and neat houses. One comment I read of someone being pissed that they chose all RICH people. Are you kidding me?! Ladies! Retract those claws! You are an embarrassment to blogging if that's the kind of attitude you have!

Here's the trailer below. I personally am quite excited to watch it in June, and think Casey and her husband are good people. When are we going to learn to not be so judgemental of each other? Oh wait, that's right, never. Merica' people. Gotta love it. (sarcasm)

Watch it. Thoughts? 

Pharrell - Happy (Puppy & Doggy Version)

For all you dog lovers out there and lovers of Pharrell Williams "Happy" song this one's for you! :) 

I heart Kristen Bell aka Veronica Mars

One might ask, did you do anything for your spring break? And my response would be yep, sure did-Watched all 3 seasons of Veronica Mars starring one of my girl crushes Kristen Bell.

I was sucked in from the moment I started this show. The love affair between Duncan and Veronica the potential of them being half brother and sister...the death of her best friend her best friend's boy friend and his crazy life. What could one not love about this show!? 

So I finally made it to the theater to see the movie. I just had to see how "Veronica" was doing 9 years since the show ended. I was really hoping that Duncan Kane would somehow come out of the woodwork and be in the movie..perhaps a triangle in Veronica's love life between Logan and Piz. Didn't happen. :( Sad face. 

The infamous black bag/purse made it back into the movie. Cool points in my book! 

Did I mention Kristen has the best hair?!?! Seriously...I die! Best styles and cut ever. She always looks impeccable. 

I will say, when watching the movie, you could definitely tell she had just had her baby. Her boobs were HUGE in the movie and you can tell they did their best to "cover" her body up. Didn't faze me at all though. 

On a random note, I cannot find these ANYWHERE!!! Everyone remembers these cardboard shoe boxes for storage right?!?! Seriously I searched every where online and in stores. No luck. All there is plastic and who wants that heavy crap in their closet? Not me! 

And there's my random post for ya for the weekend! 

Haves and have nots

I did a little spring cleaning this evening and decided to share some purchases that I regret buying and purchases I consider my holy grail of beauty! 

1. I've tried many many make up removing wipes. This one was by far the worst. Maybelline make up removing wipes. A total bust. Since I've tried so many, I have to say that the Neutrogena wipes win my vote hands down, the best make up removing wipes out there! 

2. Baby Lips. HUGE let down. They don't moisturize at all. They do the opposite, and I find myself trying to reapply all the time which is super annoying and not good for your lips in all actuality! 

3. High Beam. I just don't seem to really use this one. Saw it a long time ago on Pink Lou Lou's blog.

4. Laura Mercier lip gloss. Bust. Doesn't stay on AT ALL. 

5. Chanel lip gloss. Same problem. Huge waste of money in my opinion. 

6. Tarte pencil. I saw this pencil on a youtube tutorial for make up and thought I'd give it a try. You get any of this in your eyes you will feel like a cat scratched your eye. Not a good product for the eye area in my opinion.

I didn't number this picture but most items are easily identifiable! 

The Lorac Pro pallet is a holy grail product for me. I use it every other day for my eye make up and love the colors! This was worth the price tag!

Righteous Butter by Soap and Glory. I'm on my 4th tub of this lotion and I don't ever intend to use any other lotion ever again. Some of you asked how I use this with the Banana Boat lotion. I apply the soap and glory (pink tub) first, right after I get out of the shower. Then immediately apply the banana boat tanner lotion right on top of that. Use liberally and rub rub rub in! Wash your hands immediately after using (unless you are cool with tanner between the crevices of your fingers!) 

It's a Ten spray (been using this for the last 4 years) don't think I'll use anything else either. Spray on after getting out of shower on your damp hair. 

Kenra spray for blowdrying your hair. I dry my hair every other day and need top notch heat protectant. This product takes the cake! Smells great and leaves hair shiny. 

Oscar Blanti silk cream is good stuff too. I like to change up my hair stuff every now and again so this one I haven't been using as much as of lately but still a great great hair product! 

What are your must have and have nots for beauty products!? 

And the Oscar Goes to...

Can't wait to see what all the dashing ladies will be wearing and all the dapper men! Who's watching with me!?!

On another note, thank you so much who commented with support and input on the who making a baby post I shared a few days ago. I do not know what our future will hold, but it's good to know that I am not alone in this journey!

3rd time's a charm they say

We had our third annual Fine Arts Night on Tuesday, and every year I psych myself out and stress my self out before the big event!

It went great! It was the first time in three years that I really felt that parents genuinely wanted to know what their kids had been up to, and where their kid's art was! Great feeling for me, the teacher.

Here's a few pics from the big night!

The Everyone is pregnant post, and you're not

I must have had this saved in my draft box at least 2 months now, wanting to talk about it, but then again asking my self why bother? Blogging has really really become almost a thing of the past. Most bloggers hardly blog anymore, and those who read it DONT take any time to comment. Seriously. Check out comments from years ago on my older posts, to now. And it's not just my blog. Some other high traffic blogs are experiencing the same decline. 



Anyhow, where were we? Oh yeah, the post where I talk about how Mister Wonderful and I have been at this trying to make a baby business for a year now, and NOTHING has happened. 

I think we started off like most couples do, you quit the birth control and fall into the "lets just see what happens" category. That was a year ago this February. 

Around July of 2013, we began buying ovulation kits to know when I was and wasn't ovulating. Who knew that you seriously have like a 48 hour window to get pregnant. Seriously that's it folks! All about that timing of that egg being released I suppose! 

In December of 2013 I was given Clomid, in hopes to make me ovulate sooner in my cycle. I for some reason would ovulate then seriously 4 days later get my period. For any of you newbies out there, this means I had to short of a window to get pregnant. Not enough time for the whole attaching to the uterus lining thing. 

Here we are now in Feb 2014, and nothing still has happened. I've been told by my doc that I'm healthy--the right weight, I'm active I don't smoke, don't drink get lots of sleep. I ovulate so what's the deal? I'm suppose to complete one more round of Clomid before they want to do a dye test on my tubes to see if there is any blockage. 

Has anyone else gone through all these hoops? Any success or failures? 

Hubs is 33 I'm 31 and hence why so much "effort" has gone into trying in the past year. We aren't old at all to have a kid, but once 38 hits, it's much harder to have a healthy baby. 

Olympic Figure Skaters Who was your favorite!?

I have to admit that figure skating in the winter olympics is my favorite event to watch. Here are the winning performances dating back to 1988! These are some fantastic Medalists every bit deserving of their medals! Who can forget all the Nancy Kerrigan Tonya Harding drama either! Or Surya Bonaly and her infamous sass attitude and backflip on ice. 

Surya Bonaly was infamous for (among other things) doing aone blade backflip in the 1998 Olympics, and is the ONLY figure skater who’s ever pulled that off. Not just the only woman, the only figure skater PERIOD. There’s like all ofthree Olympic-class male skaters who did backflips in their routines, and NONE of them could do it one blade.
But wait, there’s more.

Backflips were banned from the 1976 Olympics onward on the official justification that skating jumps are supposed to be landed on one blade, whereas backflips are landed on both blades. The unofficial justification was it was too dangerous, both to the athlete and to the rink — if you didn’t land it perfectly, you could not only break your ankle, but also punch THROUGH the ice surface.

Surya Bonaly was openly contemptuous of the figure skating judges, because they were a bunch of openly racist white men who always screwed her over by giving her lower scores than she deserved. That one-blade backflip was her ultimate Eff YOU! to the Olympics judges, because she took an “illegal” backflip and made it legal by landing it on one blade. Pretty much DARING them to mark her down for being epic awesome and pulling a move that their precious coddled white girls didn’t have the guts to even think about.

They did, of course.

Not only did she do the backflip and land, she landed then went right into a triple loop. Wow! 




  I have to admit, when I was younger, Tara Lipinski's performance was one of my all time favorites along with Sarah Hughes. Top notch skating in my book! 

1988 Calgary Katerina Witt

1992 Albertville, France 

1994 Oksana Baiul Lillehammer 

1998 Tara Lipinski Nagano

Sarah Hughes performance 2002 Salt Lake City, Utah 

Shizuka Arakawa "torino 2006

2010 Vancouver Kim Yuna



Who will the winner be for the ladies tonight? I will have to post the winner tomorrow! 

Photographs That Speak

Do you ever stumble upon a photograph that really speaks to you? Even moves you? I found these recently on the web and just thought WOW! The photographers did such an amazing job capturing that moment! These types of photos are what would of been a source of inspiration had the internet been more of a "source" back in college.

This photo just blows me away. The contrast between black and white the details of her goosebumps...I could go on and on!

Underwater photography is such a mystery to me! I don't know ow they capture such great pics or what types of cameras have these capabilities! 

Night photography. Super hard to get just right. It's all about exposure. Something I studied a lot in college but haven't really messed with since. 

Pops of color. 

Sally Mann and Elliot Erwitt are two of my favorite photographers. I've written two college papers on both of them and why they inspire me so much.