The Navy

My mom called a few days ago and wanted to do something special with me this last Thursday. She had taken a day off of work and wanted to come to my classroom to see me in action. I was thrilled at the prospect of her coming in, and flattered she wanted to spend her day off with me! My mom and dad both frequent my classroom often, but only after hours, or on the weekends. They come up to help with bulletin boards, hanging curtains, moving things around, etc. My mom has never, though, been into my room during instruction. She met me in my room during my lunch break, and we had a great visit. Her eyes roamed my classroom, and I know she was taking in the books, manipulatives, the expo markers, and the unmistakle smell of school. She loves saying her daughter is a teacher. In a world where teachers are not respected anymore, my mom thinks I am nothing short of a saint for doing what I do everyday. I smiled at her when the bell rang because I knew how much she would enjoy seeing my kids march in and start their afternoon of grammar, writing, reading, and inferencing. I teach three-90 minute blocks, and this class, after lunch, is one of my most challenging. I was actually smiling, thinking of the misbehavior ahead, knowing my mom would get a real taste of what my life as a teacher is really like. The students didn't pay her much mind as they started their morning work, but my mom was all smiles as she observed them. I think for her, hearing, "Mrs. McCash" yelled out was something quite stunning. Unless you teach with me, you never hear of me in that fashion. I am simply Jessica. Not at school. My mom stayed for 40 straight minutes. When we started a reading comprehension activity, I handed her a book from the shelf and let her follow along. When it was time for her to leave, I finally told the 5th graders who our guest was- my mother. The gasps were audible, all right! My mom took the floor with questions like a pro. One student asked if I was a good girl when I was their age. Another asked if I had a childhood nickname. At the end of the question time, my mom asked them if they liked to read. She proceeded to tell them how I was NEVER without a book when I was young (I'm still not!!), and she then used my first name, Jessica, when referring to me. They were shocked. They thought my first name was "Mrs." I think she got a kick out of that! My mom whispered in my ear on her way out that she wanted to swing by my house and check on Bichon. I smiled and said, "Sure thing." When I got home, I found my laundry had been folded, and my dish washer unloaded. I also found this note and a tray covered in tin foil. She had "planned" a nice dinner for us and had gotten it all ready. She is really the best mom. I hope I can be as selfless as she when we start our family. She made a big smiley face on her note and wrote that "her Jessica had become a teacher." To say she is proud of me is an understatement. I'm so glad she came to visit. She is already talking about taking another day off next week to come and read a Christmas story to my class. She told me I ran my class like a Naval officer. I love it! I take that as a huge compliment because I try to be very structured, strict, and organized. With 58 11-year olds, there is really no other way to do it everday. My worst class is now one of my best. They loved having her as a guest. So did I.

What A Girl Wants

In the words of the fabulous Gwen Stefani, "If I was a Rich Girl," I would have all this under my Christmas tree this year! (BTW.. I tag anyone who wants to show me what they dream of under their tree this year!)


Enough Big Sexy product to last all year!


This gorgeous Dooney and Bourke "croco" bag. Ughhhh..... I want it!!


A swanky new pet bed for Bichon!


This Marc Jacobs wallet. LOVE IT!!!


Anything from Stampin Up, but more specifically ,this ink organizer for all of my pads.


A pair of sand Uggs. Rachel, my cousin, just got some and they are so cute! I used to cry for Dr. Marten boots when I was her age, but those days are long gone.


This robe from Victoria Secret


These "Blue Haze" jeans from Citizens of Humanity.


I love this perfume! DKNY Be Delicious. It is from two seasons ago, but I still love it.


This dress from Banana Republic.


This mud room bench seat and shelf from Pottery Barn for my laundry room.


A lime and brown area rug for my dining room.


Matt Damon. Whoops... Did I just say that outloud?? : )

Sneak Peek

I know, I know... Chide me for posting Christmas decor before the Tour of Homes... But I just couldn't help myself. My granny and I finished the vintage tree skirt from the prom dress via 1982 we bought for $15 at the Salvation Army. Consider it a sneak peek!

David and Zack went camping and hiking all this weekend (in the freezing rain... I know.. Crazy, right??) So, Amy and Zayde spent the night in "La Chateau Guestroom McCash" Friday and Saturday night. We had fun spending a girls' weekend together! I worked on my Christmas cards, painted some ornaments for personalized gifts, lied around in my p.j.'s, ect. My granny came over Saturday morning and finished taking the bodice off of the prom dress. We hemmed the top, reattached the tulle can-can underneath, and fanned it out under the tree! I love it! Every time I look at it, it makes me grin like the Cheshire cat. I love anything a little vintage and a little unusual.

David and I, after we got off work tonight, rode to Bentonville together to the BMW dealership to pick up my car, which had a new alternator put in over the Thanksgiving break. I missed my car terribly. I hate being without a car. After we picked it up, we went to Schlotskyz for dinner, and David surprised me by wanting to hang out at the Promenade for a few hours. At this time it was already 6:00 p.m. He even agreed to go into Sephora for a good half hour while I played around in the makeup. David loves to shop, but his fav' store Banana Republic was off limits tonight- too expensive after the damage I did on Black Friday! We strolled around in the cold, listening to Christmas music, and looking at the lights. I love Coach, White Dress Black Market, and Ann Taylor Loft, so it was fun to see what was out for Christmas. It ended up being a very romantic Monday night.

Gobble Gobble

Man, I have been so swamped with "decking the halls", I haven't had a moment to sit down and blog! Let me recap the last 72 hours!

Wednesday night we headed over to the Hickman's for dinner and the game Cranium. We had so much fun! The four of us laughed at each other as we tried to hum, sculpt with clay, draw with our eyes closed, and act out characters. We got home at 1:00 a.m., and got a few hours of sleep before we had to get up and cook! We are responsible every year for the turkey and the mashed potatoes and gravy!







For Thanksgiving on Thursday, David and I headed to my granny's house in Fayetteville. We met my mom's side of the family there. We had a great meal, and played pictionary on huge sheets of white butcher paper. She has a great country house in the woods with a big wrap around porch. It always feels like the holidays when we go there. I didn't take too many pictures with my own camera- my mom is the "photographer", so I usually make copies off of her chip. I did take a few, however.







Thursday night, David and I worked in our yard- it was freezing, to say the least! My cousin Rachel, pictured above, spent the night. The alternator went out in my BMW, so it is being fixed at the dealership in Bentonville. I really haven't minded though because David and I have been going places together, or I have been home crafting. Having Rachel spend the night worked out perfect though because we were some of the crazies who got up at 5:30 a.m. this morning and went shopping. Rachel was the driver, and did SO good navigating through the traffic. I got some Christmas shopping done, and even bought some pretty spiral lit trees for my front porch at Lowes. I wanted the topiaries, but they sold out of the affordable ones before we could get there.

Tonight is David's families dinner, and I even have a wedding shower to attend from 7:00-8:00!! Busy, busy! My Christmas decor is all up, so I am ready to just enjoy the season. I can't wait to show you pictures of my decor! I guess I will wait until Dec. 17th for the Tour of Homes!

Happy Thanksgiving!

My lil' Thanksgiving turkey!

Bichon and I go for a ride with daddy! She likes to "Go, go, go!" She knows the words, "Go for a ride?" She is such a little turkey!

Christmas Table

Tada! My Christmas table is complete! My Christmas village is up, my banister decorated, the foyer, guest bathroom, and mantle finished, my wreaths handmade and ready to be hung... next the tree!

Faux Gift # 3

Faux Present # 2

Today was a busy day! My mom, granny, and I went to the Salvation Army in Springdale, Oops in Tonti Town, and Hobby Lobby in Fayetteville! We had a fun girls' day out! At the Salvation Army, my granny and I were hunting for a red, gotty prom dress from the 80's, complete with a full skirt, lots of bead work, and a can-can underneath. We found a red, satin dress just like for a mere $15.00!! We have a superb plan! We are going to cut the bodice off, re-hem the skirt, gather it at the top, and turn it into a vintage tree skirt! Ahhh!!! Girls, this tree skirt will be plush, full, and six feet long, all the way around! I am so excited! To even buy satin would be close to $15 a yard- a we got a full dress for that price. I am SO into vintage anything, and this tree skirt is definitely going to be eye catching. I'll post pictures of that project soon.