Hello. I'm a new person.

I have to get right up on a soap box.

But first you must know, this is totally on my own accord. I am not being coerced in any way to discuss the following product.

And I'm just going to come right out and say it.

No, shout it.

From the rooftops.

I LOVE TEMPUR-PEDIC!!!!!

In the last three years I have blogged, I've probably mentioned my sleep issues at least 50 times.

I have insomnia.

Bad.

We're talking, can go 2 nights at a time without a wink of sleep, wake up at 3 am only to never fall back asleep, or simply just can't fall asleep at all.

I'm one of those people who has to have perfect sleep conditions: black-out curtains (where I have taped any slots so not even a glimmer of light can shine through), I put underwear over any electronics that give off any amount of light, we have a fan running for a consistent noise, and of course the temperature has to be perfect.

And when I'm stressed?

Forget it.

I'm toast.

I will goes weeks without sleep.

And it is pure torture.

I finally noticed a gradual change in my ability to sleep when I quit my corporate job just over a year ago.

It was like, BOOM - I quit and suddenly I was SLEEPING. Not fully through the night. But I could actually go three or four nights a week with a pretty good night's sleep.

And then about a year later, my life changed forever. And I know I tend to be a bit dramatic at times, but I'm not kidding. My life has totally changed...thanks to our new Tempur-Pedic Cloud Mattress.

You.do.not.understand.

I have been sleeping SOUNDLY through the night for the past 2 months.

Oh my goodness.

If you only knew how light of a sleeper I am. I could wake up if a ladybug was crawling on the floor. Not kidding. I'd hear it.

And I usually wake up a dozen times a night.

Now, I barely wake up to my alarm. And I rarely even wake up ONCE during the middle of the night.

I won't lie. I did not want a Tempur-Pedic. I thought it was some silly marketing ploy...I mean the things are really expensive. And when we went mattress shopping, we went in KNOWING we would not get a Tempur-Pedic. We have several friends who swear up and down that the things are pure magic. We didn't get the big deal.

Until we caved and got one of our own.

Now I get the big deal.

I will say, they definitely take some getting used to at first. In fact, I was ready to send it back after 2 weeks. But once my body adjusted, everything was more than perfect. Now I will never ever ever go back to another mattress.

Ever.

And now, I actually look forward to getting into bed.

I used to constantly take naps because I never got a good night's sleep.

Not anymore! :)

Just what I needed

I had my first of probably many first-year-teacher breakdowns last night.

We're talking pacing. chest tightening. sobbing.

It's not even that I had a bad day.

In fact, I had a great day.

I love my class.

I love my job.

I am just completely overwhelmed.

Plate overflowing.

And it hit me like a ton of bricks last night.

So.

You can only imagine how happy I was to come home to

a sweet little surprise from my hubs:

( please ignore our dirty, 1960's front door. )

It's the simple things that help remind me that nothing else really matters. :)

I'm alive.

Kinda.

I'm suuuure hoping I get this whole new job/first year of teaching/finishing my masters thing down.

Not only am I exhausted, but my mind is constantly spinning.

Half the time, I have to remind myself to eat and go to the bathroom.

Thank you to EVERYONE for the sweet comments on my last post. It really means so much. And I apologize for not responding or posting lately...I have not watched tv, gotten on my computer, or even really slept in the past few weeks. So thank for hanging in there with me! :)

So Thursday was my first real day of school last week. It was overwhelming, but wonderful. I love my class. I definitely have my work cut out for me in terms of improving on reading and math scores/skills, but they are all so incredibly sweet.

And then Friday after school, Mr. Ruby picked me up, and we immediately headed out on a three hour road trip to KC for my best friend's wedding where I was the matron of honor.

Starting school and tending to my matron of honor duties = excitement overload.

Everything about the wedding was wonderful. The bridal party was so much fun and quite hilarious. The flowers were gorge. The bride was the calmest I've ever seen. And I didn't vomit like I thought I would giving my speech.

Congratulations Lauren and Eric. Such a fab couple!

No turning back

This is really happening.

I need to sit down.

Or sleep would be nice too.

In 10 hours, I will officially be

a fourth grade teacher.

With students.

Holy. Cow.

I've been working my tail off.

I'm behind in every single

facet of my life.

Including working out.

And sleep.

And blogging.

Been putting in over 12 hours a day.

I'm exhausted.

And I don't even have my students yet.

But tomorrow,

all of that will change.

First day of school jitters.

Oh my!

My Classroom Before (started with absolutely nothing but some desks and textbooks):

My Classroom After the blood, sweat, and tears:

We like to demo.

Hi. Just call us Young House Love.

Ok. Not even close.

But, considering the fact that we'd never

even picked up a hammer or paintbrush before this year,

I'd say Mr. Ruby and I are doing ok in the home remodel department.

To be honest, we actually looked for a house that needed

a little bit of TLC and some cosmetic work.

You know, so we could make a house our home

and all that jazz.

Well, let me just say, we got more than we bargained for.

I mean, don't get me wrong, it could have been much worse.

However, our sweet little "home" had a bit more

in mind than a few paint touch-ups.

Instead, due to some unforeseen circumstances,

we had a construction zone in our

living room, 2 bathrooms, and basement...

all at the same time.

Baptism by fire, my friends.

But, my husband is amazing. And my handy-dandy cousin

is amazing. So after lots and lots of work (and maybe a couple

swearwords), we got a new bathroom.

In addition to this one.

Two new bathrooms in 4 weeks.

Most exhausting thing I've ever partaken in.

I don't suggest it.

Go on, check out the fruits of our labor.

Painful.

This is what happens when you buy a house built in 1959.

Demo.

Good thing my hubby is not scared to get a lil' dirty.

The big mistake.

Yep. Was going for a rich purple. Ended up with easter egg lavender.

The end.

Still have some finishing touches to do, but I'd say it's quite the improvement from our Caribbean-infested bathroom.

WILW - Pinterest is taking over my life.

No seriously.

I need help.

Pinterest is sucking up the time I do NOT have.

And it really doesn't help that I find it so darn functional. I mean, it helps me keep track of all the stuff I need and in the same breath reminds me of all the stuff I don't have and can't afford.

It's a sick, sick indulgence.

But I.love.it.

Some of my latest pins include:

1. I'm LOVING burlap. Especially personalized banners. So cute.

Source: etsy.com via Angela on Pinterest

2. I'm really LOVING stacked bangles. Ahhh. Love. Love. Love.

Source: atlantic-pacific.blogspot.com via Angela on Pinterest

3. I'm LOVING everything shabby-chic. Especially this amazing farm table and chandelier - my favorite combo.

Source: dreamywhites.blogspot.com via Angela on Pinterest

4. I'm LOVING multi-necklaces.

Source: veronicas.tumblr.com via Angela on Pinterest

5. I'm LOVING inspiration quotes. Always have, always will. And this one says it all.

Source: etsy.com via Angela on Pinterest

6. I'm LOVING sangria. Especially this delish-looking recipe.

Source: highstreetmarket.blogspot.com via Angela on Pinterest

7. I'm LOVING everything white. So pretty much anything off of dreamywhites. Why-oh-why must I love white so much?!?! If only I could be so daring in my own home...

Source: dreamywhites.blogspot.com via Angela on Pinterest

Happy WEDNESDAY and come on and join the fun with Jamie!!!