Blogging about some new things "under the sun"

So when I had my blog redesigned last year, I specifically asked Michelle to add this phrase to the scrolling bar at the top:

Back then, I had the idea to incorporate more "lifestyle" ideas into my teaching blog. I tossed around the idea of starting a whole different blog,  but then decided to first dip my toes in the water here instead. Surely I'm crazy because I do NOT live in a Pinterest perfect home or claim for one second to be a fashion diva. I'm certainly not one to hand out fitness advice and I don't have children of my own adorably wrapped up in ruffle-butt outfits with big bouncy bows on their heads. Though I try, I am not a great photographer and I will probably not dazzle with you with fancy angles and perfect lighting in my close up shots of household decor. Boy, I'm really selling myself here, huh?

So, what do I have to offer?  Well, I'm just a real life teacher keepin' it real. I struggle to keep a clean-ish house. I drink entirely too much coffee. Occasionally, I lock myself in my craft cave for hours on end. I have recently become a subscription box junkie. I'm a late bloomer when it comes to experimenting with make up and jewelry (well, the 80's don't count. I inhaled too much hairspray during that era to be held accountable for those decisions). I alternate between being on a diet and dining out at some fantastic restaurant to reward myself for said diet (I know. I know...) I'm addicted to the Food Network. I have every kitchen gadget known to man including a Veggetti and I'm on a quest to actually use them before they become antiques. I do have a pretty fantastic husband with whom I love to take little trips (and naps). I'm trying to embrace my "curvy girl' status and break through my selfie-phobia. In my old age, I'm trying to be kinder to myself and forgive my flaws and love myself a little more.  I watch super random shows when I have the TV to myself {Hoarders, True Tori, Intervention, My Strange Addiction, 90 Day Fiance}  I love memes, but not mimes - they're actually quite annoying.  I'm fluent in sarcasm and I live pretty passionately.  I've never been accused of being graceful. I'm a former band nerd. The nerd part kind of stuck. Above all else, I try to cherish every imperfect day and find humor it in all. And sometimes I just want to share all of that with you! After 21 years of teaching and 4 years of blogging pretty consistently, it feels like the right time to branch out and share a little more of the real me. I'm stepping out from behind the teacher's desk and asking you to walk with me my real life. How does that sound?

It's like we've been "work friends" for a few years now and now it's time to get more personal. The primary focus of my blog will continue to be teaching, but I think writing about things that inspire me in other areas will add some new life to this little blog of mine. 

Much of this stems from trends I've noticed on Instagram. It seems that the pictures with the most comments and interaction are usually those that are more "me" and less "school". I find that I do the same with people I follow.  I love to write, always have. It's one of the reasons I started blogging in the first place. I still get excited to post about my classroom, but I feel more "me" when I'm writing about my real life. Plus after four years of blogging about my classroom, it's getting a little difficult to find new ways to show what's going on. Unless I changed everything I do every year, there's bound to be some repetition, which explains my inconsistent and lackluster blogging of late.

I already feel so much more like "me" writing this post. I'm not trying to sell something or myself and I'm just chatting with some old friends. I hope you enjoyed the visit and I'll see you again real soon.