New Title Reveal, Re-designing, and Back from the Craziness!

So it's kind of funny that I had two posts published here when I was in Mexico and then my blog went silent.

Reasons?
1. Recooperating from my awesome vacation in Mexico by going to school the very next day
2. Trip to Denver Colorado shortly after my trip to Mexico with other Teachers.
3. TWO Bridal showers for my older sister, whose wedding is in August. Not to mention all of that other stuff that goes along with being a maid of honor.
4. Finding some time to spend with the husband, family, and occasionally friends. Because my marriage and friendships are important. Sorry. They win.
5. And finally, but certainly not least, wrapping up the most time consuming, challenging, exhausting, trying and difficult years of my teaching career. Granted my career is only three years long, but believe me it was a rough one.
Alas my 8th graders are gone, my classroom is packed up, and  school has finally come to an end.

When I say "packed" I mean I dumped the contents of my desk into a bunch of boxes, dumped the stuff from on top of desk into my newly emptied desk, and then all of the posters have been ripped off the wall and shoved into a messy pile on top of cabinets.

And when I say school has finally come to an end I still have a meeting with coworkers about next year, am heading to a middle level educator's seminar, recreating my school webpage because our school district switched website companies, read an assigned reading from my principal, and am creating a whole new Humanities curriculum because I have 7th graders and a curriculum does not exist for my little unique class.

But you know, I'm "done" with school.

What does that mean for me?
Serving frozen custard that is seriously addictive (can we say crazy customers??), spending time with family, and thinking about doing all of that school stuff of course! Oh, and I just found out that the gym still exists and I should probably put my membership to good use now that I feel like a real person again.

But before any of that it's time for some TLC for my blog!

I mentioned a whiiiile back that I was thinking about changing my blog name, and I've finally settled on one. I can't take the credit though. While many awesome suggestions came in, my favorite came from Jessica over at My Faith Permeating Life. I've been reading her blog for a while and if you're looking for a blog with substance and voice this is one to read.

So, what was the final choice?
Drumroll please!

Happily Ever Awkward

I feel as though it's the perfect mix of keeping a little bit of my old title while staying honest with my readers and the fact that they are probably going to feel awkward at some point while indulging in my blog.

Next step? Creating the design I want. Right now, as many people have commented here, there's definitely a disconnect in my design. Which I totally agree with. But now that I've changed the name of my blog I'm not quite sure where I want to go with it.

Here is what I do know about redesigning everything.

1. I want it to be clean and simple. No crazy pattern that will give myself or my 3 readers a headache.

2. Some classy and again clean cursive font for the header. 

3. I want those damn social buttons to all look the same/be the same size/not be stupid!

4. I want the design, again, to fit me. Not like a unicorn vomited flowers and plaid all over my borders. 

5. I don't know if I want to spend money on a design. While I enjoy having something that looks nice,  I don't know if I'm up for laying down 50 bucks for a new look. I don't have photoshop on my laptop, only Gimp. So I'm starting to look into freebies that are out there and brainstorming ideas that are simple enough for both Gimp as well my abilities. 

Don't get me wrong, if I had a disposable income I would gladly pay money for someone to do some work on my blog. I believe design work should be paid for and not just ripped off because of intellectual property, time, etc. I just don't know if I want to go that way yet.

Okay, it's that time again. I've already heard from some people who are into design and have great ideas and talents. Any ideas? Tips? Places I should be looking? Suggestions? I am open!

Stay fab!

Update: I have changed the banner. I decided to just go for it this morning! I said I wanted it to be clean and simple, but then I realized I LOVE glitter. So that happened. 

I'm playing with whether I want the current two font, or just one font.

I'm going to be changing things around ALOT so bear with me!

Let the constructive criticism begin!