What's Up Wednesday: So Long August!

Hey there friends!

August is the best and worst month combined in one. 

It always means that school is here, yet at the beginning it means enjoying the last few weeks of summer, and I can't forget that this was the month I was born, so I have to love it!

At the end of each month Mel, Shay and Sheaffer share 

What's Up Wednesday!!!
We answer a series of questions and one extra one special to that month.
This month we're answering...

What are your best back to school lunch ideas and/or tips!

What we're eating this week:

Lots of homegrown corn!

Yummy salads!

Chicken salad on fresh wheat buns!

Taco Salad!

Last night's steak, potatoes and corn was delicious, but I forgot to grab a picture before I devoured it!

What I'm reminiscing about:

I've been thinking a lot about all of the times that I've started school.
13 years of K-12.
Then, 4 years of college.
Now, 6 years of teaching.

To top that my birthday is August 29, so I've started school on my birthday many times and have enjoyed the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th day of school as my birthday as well.

What I'm loving:

I love growing beautiful plants!
I'm enjoying the last few weeks with them, as the heat has passed and we're enjoying much cooler days that is causing them not to grow as much.

What we've been up to:

I've been getting into the routine of back to school,  an early bed time and an early alarm.

What I'm dreading:

At this point in time I'm trying to enjoy every single day.
I typically dread going to bed so early so that I can get up early, but I love being productive in the mornings, so I'm trying to look at it as a positive!

What I'm working on:

I'm working on lesson plans and getting to know my new students.

I'm also working hard on planning for what will hopefully be a memorable fall!

What I'm excited about:

NYC!
I can't wait for our fall trip to the Big Apple!
I'm not sure how many times I've been there, but there's always so much to see.
Any places you think we should visit?!

What I'm watching/reading:

I've been doing lots of reading because that's what my job is all about. 

The first three books were suggestions from Allie. 

I'm going to be using them in my classroom during this year, and the last book was just for fun. 

I just started The Glass Castle, and WOW!

I cannot even fathom what these poor children went through. 

Cooking your own hot dogs over a stove at THREE years old and you accidentally catch yourself on fire?!

This is just one of the many incidents in this book, and I'm not even 50 pages in. 

I seriously read with my mouth hanging open. It's that horrendous!

What I'm listening to:

l really don't listen to much. 
I've been hearing whispers, shouts and screams from 7th and 8th graders during the day, and then at night I hear birds, crickets and locusts.

What I'm wearing:

At the beginning of August I was all into swimsuits and cover-ups. 

Now I'm all into cool yet professional outfits.
This school year I've been trying to wear more skirts.

What I'm doing this weekend:

Hooray for an extra long weekend!
We are going to enjoy our extra day off, probably my last time at the pool and celebrate me turning 27!

What I'm looking forward to next month:

I'm sad to see my flowers go, but next month shouts Fall!
I'm looking forward to pumpkins, Indian Corn, cornstalks and gourds!
Also, I love candles more in the fall and winter.
I haven't been burning many lately, but I'm excited for fall cozy scents.

What else is new:

I'm back to school, so I'm in a routine again.
It's an adjustment, but I enjoy staying busy.

I'm also putting some finishing touches on my new side business.
I can't wait to share all about it in October!

What's your best back to school lunch ideas and/or tips?:

I pack my lunch every single day, so I'm all about tips for saving time. 

I ALWAYS pack my lunch the night before. 

If I wait until the morning one either I won't do it or I will pack junk. 

I, also, ALWAYS over pack. 

I often think that I won't be that hungry, and then it's 8 am and I'm starving! Ha!

My last tip is to change it up. 

Don't pack the same thing over and over again. 

I often get tired of the same foods. 

I swear that I packed Doritos for a month straight in JH, and now I never want to eat one again unless it's on my taco salad. 

So there goes August, let's see what September has in store!