I don’t know what it is about January, but it seems to be one of the gloomiest months. Maybe it’s the after holiday slump? Maybe it’s the extra holiday weight still hanging around? Maybe it’s the fact that I am anxiously awaiting spring and am absolutely over tired of winter?

Still, I promised happy thoughts on Mondays and this girl makes good on her promises.

1. I wore red lipstick. All day. I had several kids make kissy faces at me, had a little boy should nice lick gloss as he trotted off to the buses, and even had another teacher comment on the staying power of the ruby red lips. Thanks Revlon’s Just Bitten in Gothic. Teacher’s best friend.

2. The giggle and then phrase “There’s peanut-butter in our nutella, and nutella in our peanut-butter,” from MAE this evening. It’s true folks. We are a pair of giant sweet tooths teeth and our new favorite dessert on a budget? A half spoon of nutella and a half spoon of peanut butter with a glass of milk. Don’t mind if I do!

3. Tim Riggins. Calling all you FNLers out there….how much do you love this man? Men and women alike can agree he is unnaturally attractive, with a deep southern drawl, and a good vs. evil fight going on in his life that is so heartwrenching, you can’t help but love him. Friday Night Lights. Run, walk, rent.

4. Rainbows in my room. One of my girls in my class wanted to give me a rainbow for Christmas, so she gave me a prism complete with fishing twine to hang in my window. Now each morning I am up after the sun (which is a rare occasion), I awake to find a world of rainbows dancing on my ceiling, comforter, and sometimes am even a little blinded by one. Sweetest present that keeps on giving.

5. Ponytails. Thank goodness for hair long enough to throw back in a ponytail! I have always been a girl of long hair, and I just can’t see that changing in the future. If I had hair I had to get up and style each day, I think I would be a much worse teacher. As a taker of epic naps and a girl who values each precious minute spent sleeping, I push it as close as I can in the mornings. Thus enters the power of the ponytail. High pony, low pony, side pony - you name it, I love it. Simple and easy.

And there you have it. Cheery moments during a somewhat dismal day. Tuesday, lets try for even a hint of sunshine?