Can You (Really) Do What You Love?

I've seen lots of buzz in the past week about this Do What You Love post from blogger A Pair & a Spare. After reading it, I was all gung-ho, "Oh, yeah, I need to figure out what I love so I can DO it!" And then I faltered. What DO I love? What am I passionate about? Over dinner Saturday night, I posed the question to Curtis after briefly describing the point of the post. He totally scoffed at the notion and said, "You do a job that pays the bill. What you love can be your hobby."  Then he went on this mini-tirade I've heard a lot lately about how Sean better not try to major in a pointless subject college like journalism, psychology, advertising, religious studies, etc. (no offense, these were our concentrations). According to Curtis, Sean will major in something he can tolerate, and even like, but it must be practical first and foremost.

This rant didn't exactly answer my original question, so I redirected his attention, "But what do I love?" We determined over pizza and beers that I love eating, writing, sleeping, reading, and being lazy, not really interests that are high on the pay scale, right? My husband is always pragmatic, but it was really discouraging to hear "No, Katie. You can't do what you love." This is a sore point for me every year around this time. I am mentally and physically exhausted; Spring Break is on the horizon; I feel discouraged and run over by uninterested students and unsupportive parents. I think to myself- "Can I realistically do this for another 20 years?" I hated high school when I was in high school- what was I thinking picking a job that would require me to go back to high school EVERY SINGLE DAY?!?!? Do I love teaching? Is teaching my passion?

In the original post the author says to find your passion it can help to ask yourself- "What's in my DNA? What have I enjoyed doing since the beginning of time?" According to my school days diary, for the majority of my elementary school years, I wanted to be either an "artiste", a "teachr", a "writr:, or a "modele". So I gave myself lots of options at least. But the only one that's realistic is teaching. I mean, I love writing, and I write for fun, but that's not a realistic full-time job for me.  So is it possible to realistically do what you love for a living? Does it make me a terrible person to admit that while I like teaching, I don't think it's my lifelong passion? Is this just totally typical, and I'm making a big deal out of nothing?

So do you do what you love? And since this is such a heavy topic, I thought I'd lighten things up by sharing a pic of Lulu sleeping on my shoulder. She's such a sweetie!

My Plus-Size Target Picks Under $20

You may have heard lots of bloggers and shoppers complaining about Target's disappearing Plus-Size selections in stores. I read months ago that Target was revamping its (lackluster, at least in my opinion) plus selections and would reveal the new line of designs in spring 2014. The good news is Target has a ton of great plus-size pieces marked down online. I am sharing some of my favorite sale items below. None of them cost more than $20!

Mossimo Plus Dresses · Mossimo Plus Sweaters · Merona Plus Sweaters

Mabel? Or Edith? Maybe Ethel?

Last week a student, well-meaning, I'm sure, made the casual comment that my awesome yellow glasses made me look "really old." Then the same day, Sean told me I was old and had spiderwebs in my mouth (??). Back-to-back blows to my self-esteem has made it pretty tough over here.

More and more, I am starting to feel not my age (which I think is still pretty young), but older. At lunch we were talking about being afraid to drive in the dark and what good old ladies we would be one day. Some of us even have our old lady nicknames picked out. Not me, though I'm leaning towards Mabel (and no offense if your name is Mabel. It's just always sounded like an old name ever since I heard it on Mad about You. Remember? "Mothers Always Bring Extra Love"?).

Sweater- Lane Bryant (old- similar here)
Shirt- c/o Foxcroft (Buy Here)
A-line Skirt- Old Navy (old, similar here)
Belt- Old Navy (no longer available, similar here)
Shoes- Payless( no longer available, similar here)

I pinned a version of this look when I was doing my Foxcroft giveaway. I owned all of the pieces, so it was an easy look to copy. I added the yellow details because apparently I am old, and old people like to be real matchy-matchy.  And yes, I totally based the entire mustard yellow and turquoise blue color scheme on the very pair of glasses that make me look old. Now I feel like I am channeling Sally Jesse Raphael or Dame Edna. So uncool, right?

Steal My Style

Lands' End Plus Skirts · ModCloth Wedges · Foxcroft Plus Tops