Alter Ego Tuesday

Somebody call the Book of World Records peeps...I just sneezed 12 times in a row && I'm fairly certain 13 is on its way. My nose is completely stuffed and the sneezing is driving me bonkers. How does this even happen? I haven't been exposed to kid germs (everybody knows those are the most aggressive), haven't slept with wet hair, haven't gotten caught in the rain and stayed in soaking clothes, why, why, why???If there's one thing I despise more than going to the gym, it's going to the gym with a summer cold && skipping out on the gym is not an option today. I've been a lazy bum since Wednesday (it's shameful I know) and a cruise is coming up quick. Ayiyiyi! Not all is bad in my world though. . .my sun visor that stopped working in my car && is now laying on my floor board will hopefully be covered under a recall (score), my cabinet doors in the kitchen are finally in the process of being painted and put on (double score), and I finally found thin mint coffee creamer (triple score)! I don't know what I'm more excited about...not having my {{organized chaos}} on display for everyone to see or the coffee creamer...maybe the coffee creamer or the chevron notebook underneath...is it bad that my addiction to chevron has gone this far??
 
I've blogged a lot lately about what I've done for my class...what I've checked off my teacher to do list...but let's get real, teachers have other interests/other passions/a life outside of teaching that's worth talking about too.Teaching is a large portion of my life, but I don't sleep at the school {{sorry roaches}}.  I'm equally obsessed with  a lot of other things. With going to the gym out of the question until later today when this wicked head ache is tamed, I thought it was the perfect time to blog about my alter ego  (Mrs.: first name, Owen: last isn't exactly who I was born to be 24/7). You know, take a break from teaching thoughts because pretty soon those are the only thoughts I'm going to be allowed to have.

Decorating my house is a love of my alter ego. If you've been following my ramblings since around June, you'll know that the husband, our furry children, and Gary the fish moved from a townhouse to a house at the beginning of the summer. It was beyond unpleasant (I think a summer cold is more fun than packing/moving/unpacking), but we're finally settled in and starting to fill up the house. Our townhouse was much smaller (the only reason we moved) so we still need to buy a lot of furniture to make this house look finished.

The house also needed a lot of TLC. I should own stock in Mr. Clean Magic Erasers because I spent a small fortune on those suckers as I scrubbed every square inch of the house. The kitchen was the room that needed the most work. I'm in love with the look of white cabinets so somehow I convinced ok nagged my husband enough to paint them. The framework has been painted, but the doors and drawers are still not on. Unlike Melissa from the RHW of New Jersey, I'm not singing a song about my mess being on display...there's nothing cute about seeing all of someones kitchen junk. I'm not lovin' it. I've been assured that this project will be completed soon (that's why I'm smiling in the picture and not giving my "seriously babe" face). The days are numbered for this fabulous kitchen look {{insert cart wheel/fist bump/woohoo here}}.There's no denying that my kitchen is a hot mess right now, but there is one little sliver of sunshine and that's this cute little chalkboard I found at World Market, intended to use at our wedding (never did), finally bought chalk for, && now it' s this little jazzed up number.

I didn't doodle on an anchor because they're the {{in and now trend}}...anchors are a part of my family history in the nautical scene. My Poppa was in the Navy and was stationed at Pearl Harbor when it was attacked by the Japanese. He's one of the few Pearl Harbor survivors that are left in Charleston && I love him to pieces. My Dad (who I also love to pieces) has been in the Coast Guard Reserves since I was a little girl. Jonathan's Grandfather was also in the Navy....soo anchors are kind of a family thing (and a nod to the last day of our honeymoon in Hawaii).

 

Cute touches on the inside of your house are important to making a space your own but,  honestly, outside of your house is just as important  (first impressions...you don't get a second chance at those). Before we moved in the front door looked neglected and sad...yes sad. I hated how cold and un-homey it looked from the curb so that was a major thing on my list of things to change. The porch isn't big enough for any furniture (unless you want your knees shoved into the railing) so that was out of the question...our bank account was relieved. That being said, the doorway was really my only option. The door got a fresh coat of black paint. It's amazing how beat up a door can get && even more amazing what a fresh coat of paint will do for something. I hung a personalized wreath on it because what door is complete without a cutesy pie wreath hanging from it?!?! I blogged about it once upon a time ago in the beginning of the summer {{here}}. That was it until last week when I finally made myself go to Lowes. I hate flying insects of all kinds so the garden section really makes me panic. I knew that I wanted a topiary bush before I even left my house and life got even easier when I walked in and immediately saw them. I picked up a simple black planter's pot (Allen & Roth...on sale...score) and a few other plants to replace the ones I killed already... I have a bit of a black thumb lately when it comes to plants. Topiary bushes are pricey so relief doesn't begin to describe the feeling I had when the girl at the register told me I had a 1 year warranty on the plant. The door mat made the move with us...nothing special but it ties everything together. Not fancy pants material, but even the simplest of things can give a space the boost it needs.

 

 

Another love of my alter ego is baking. Cupcakes are fun, but with school not in session I have no purpose to bake cupcakes. Lord knows I don't need 2 dozen iced baked goods staring me in the face {{zero will power }}. I do however have a ton of blueberries that aren't getting eaten fast enough for breakfast. I hit up Pinterest...found a recipe for Blueberry Lemon Muffin Bread && I've decided to fire up the oven and drag my Kitchen Aid mixer out....after the gym of.course. Seriously looks like heaven in a pan!

 

Working out isn't necessarily a love of my alter ego, but it's not an option.  It's something that I hate to do, but I love the feeling after it (kind of like cleaning). The gym is just not my favorite place on Earth...I've tried...I just can't make myself excited about going there. It doesn't help that I go in looking semi cute and leave looking like a grand hot mess. I'm really jealous of the people that can leave looking as good as they did coming in...no sweat...no red face...no soaking wet hair or clothing. How does that happen? Because seriously this is me...no lie...no sugar coating...you might want to cover your eyes if you're scared easily...

I warned you...not pretty. Shopping, getting some sun, swimming, eating, drinking, killing armies of sugar ants that invade my house...those are all favorites of my alter ego too && lucky me an army of sugar ants has invaded my house yet again. So, until next time....live, love, && let your alter ego have some fun while it still can!

 

Monday Made It {{July 29}}

How does time fly by so fast in the summer time??? Seriously, it feels like I was just waking up after a night out celebrating the last day of teaching for a beloved team member && now it's almost time to go back to work. Where has the summer gone? I guess it's time to start making the most of my carefree days before they've all slipped through my fingers. First things first with the make the most of summer before it's bye bye umbrella drinks and hello water bottles... Monday Made It with 4th Grade Frolics. I have a few different things to share this week, I've been busy designing, printing, laminating and hot gluing so grab a cup of coffee and settle in for a trip to crazy town. Speaking of crazy town, this is my hoarder closet storage closet..my own little slice of crazy town:

Don't dial the number for Hoarders on TLC just yet, it's all making the trip back to the school with me as soon as they let me back in to work my magic. . .which isn't coming soon enough. I'm starting to get really anxious...I've never waited this long to set my room up and to say I'm going crazy would be an understatement. Buuuuut for new carpet, I'll hold tightly to my bottle of chill pills and anxiously await the all clear email. My first MMI project has nothing to do with teaching...maybe once you get home from teaching, but definitely not classroom material {{ain't nobody got time to be fired}} It's definitely a must for an overly anxious caffeinated teacher (I should really try to break myself of this coffee habit) who is more than ready to jump at the chance to organize and clean her classroom (sad, yet true...I'm keeping it real y'all).

Project #1: Homemade Wine {{Raspberry Zinfandel}}

We finally got to bottle up this sweet stuff last night and as always it's delicious. It was 4 weeks in the making, but we have 28 bottles to last us until the next kit is ready. The starter kit is a little pricey...and the wine packets are about $70, but with 28 bottles coming out of the kit it's way worth the money. Think about buying 28 quality bottles of wine (I'm not talking box wine ladies) at the grocery store && what that cost would be...yeah, I'll keep my arm and leg please and thank you. We've made about 8 different flavors and I haven't been disappointed by any of them. They were all delicious (especially the Strawberry Riesling...holy cow yuuuuuummmmm). The wine is a little stronger than store bought wines...I'm talking one glass and I'm relaxed...what's not to love about yumminess that takes half the calories?? Seriously the less time doing push ups and burpies...the more happy, happy, happy my life becomes!

The rest of my MMI projects are all teaching related. If you haven't been reading lately, I decided to redo my classroom this year: changing it from the beachy theme to an owl theme. I've been bouncing from store to store picking up owl pieces that I have to have (ok, want to have...but have to have because they're too cute not to get) for the past few weeks. That's part of the reason why my closet looks like the hot mess that it is right now. I forgot how much actually goes in to changing the theme of your classroom- -all of the tiny touches of the beach that have to be stripped away (cubby numbers, book bag hook numbers, job chart, alphabet line, behavior chart, outside wall display, Meet the Teacher Night, etc, etc, etc)...does your head hurt yet??

Project # 2: Job Chart
My biggest project: a new job chart. Currently mine is a store bought one of overalls. I have no clue why I got overalls...I guess it was cute and it worked. When I first started teaching I hadn't really "found" myself as the designer/organizer that I am now. It was in me, but I didn't really have a clear vision of what I wanted because I was too focused on not drowning. My excuse for the other 5 years...it wasn't a priority? I wasn't as anal as I am now? I had too much time to think about things this summer because I can't set anything up yet? Any way you cut it, overalls just weren't cutting it anymore for me && it was time for a redo. {{nothing against overall job charts if you have one like my old one}} So keeping with the colors/patterns I used in my behavior chart, I put together a job chart. Whooooo's Helpin'? is available in my TPT store {{here}}. If you happen to be using an owl theme as well the work is done for you. If owls aren't your thing, my intention is to upload a variety of themed job charts so anyone can join in on the fun. Why not right? In the download you'll get 2 versions: a ready to print version or a print, place on scrapbook paper matting and then laminate version. I used the second option because it saves ink (enough said) and the scrapbook paper colors are more vibrant (and you can customize the colors a little more). I hot glued a ribbon chain to each side of the chart to hold it all together && a ribbon loop to the top of the chart for easy hanging. The accent bow came from the Hobs (Hobby Lobby). Each job card has a dot or two printed on it. These dots correspond with the amount of kids that assign each job to. My class typically has 18 kids so my job chart has 18 job dots. You'll see clothespins on the job chart...I covered these in two kinds of Washi tape. If you haven't heard about this you better ask somebody for reals. It's amazing...I got it Office Depot...and I'm in love! The clothespins will be used to assign jobs--each student will have a clip with their name on it. Easy breezy, lemon squeezy y'all!

Project #3: MTT Night
My next MMI project has to do with Meet the Teacher Night that I've blogged about {{here}} and {{here}}. I won't go into all of the nitty gritty, but our MTT Night is done drop in style. The kids and their parents drop in to check out our rooms and ask any questions that they may have. I set up my back table....errrr by set up I mean deck it out (I'm a tad bit of an over achiever). I have a sign in station, an estimation station, and a sweet treat station. When my kids and their families enter the room, they receive a to do list. This leads them to the back table, to their seats, and finally to me at the door to check out && get their sweet treat. I've found that it cuts down on some of the awkwardness/anxiety of the night by giving everyone a set list of things to do. It keeps everything organized and above all it looks put together and cute. First impressions are everything and who doesn't love a cute room? The packet in my TPT store has everything you need to make your Meet the Teacher Night styled, organized and simple. You can get your copy by going {{here}}. &&& no worries if you're not into owls, I'll be putting together packs for other themes during the week.

With time ticking away before Kathy Lee and Hoda Woman come on I need to wrap it up. So, until next time live, love && get ready to teach because it's coming up quick ready or not!

Meet the Teacher Part 2 && Fashionable Pin-spiration

Last night I blogged about Meet the Teacher Night...check it {{here}}. It was way too late for my brain to care about staging my focus table so I saved that for today. Like I said last night, decorating and planning are kinda my things. I might not have gotten my moms blue eyes but I sure did get her talent of making things look good.With all of the whats and wheres mapped out last night, today was all about putting the pieces together && filling in the missing design gaps. This is what I put together today...

Now, keep in mind a few things are missing and obviously the table will be different (that standard light colored school wood instead of my rich cherry), but not too shabby! The frame to the left (pink) is my sign in reminder. The pink frame has this sign inside of it:

A mason jar with pens will go next to it. In the picture the "pens" are really straws, but who has a gazillion matching pens at home? Not this chick. The metal owl came from Hancock Fabrics (thanks Rachel @ A Tall Drink of Water for the heads up). In the middle of the table I have 3 different sized mason jars sitting on a silver serving tray (wedding gift finally coming to good use). The hydrangeas in the jars are fake in the picture (they'll be real the night of MTT). To the right of the serving tray is my "Guess-timation Jar." The orange frame has this little sign inside of it:

 

The "Guess'timation Jar" is empty right now (to the left of the orange frame) && I have a good reason for it. I'm going on a cruise in 2 weeks && I have absolutely zero will power when candy is around. If I bought Starbursts to fill it up for the photo op they would be gone by the time MTT Night rolled around and I would have to fill it up again. I hate working out as it is...I don't need any extra calories to burn. To the right of the orange frame is a mason jar with markers in it for the kids to fill out their guess-timation slips. I used the same chevron ribbon that I wrapped the pen jar with to wrap the marker jar. I need to get another bow so that they match and that jar will be finished. The guess-timation slips are not pictured...I'm saving my ink at home && waiting until I get to school to print them out, but they're pictured on my last blog. The table runner is made up of 3 different colored place mats that one of my sweet little babies from last year gave me as an end of the year/house warming gift. This will more than likely change when I have the task of covering my not so attractive kidney table that is  light school colored wood. I'm thinking a solid table cloth with a chevron runner in the middle.

Now for everyone's favorite part, the treats. I mentioned last night that I bake cookies every year (I'm crazy I know). There's something about a cookie baked from scratch that just can't be beat...even the ease of buying them already made is no match for the taste of a fresh cookie. I also like knowing what's going into the cookies so if a parent asks a question about an allergin I know what I used (you just never know with store bought ones). So after they cool (and my husband has taste tested them) I put 2 cookies into each clear treat bag. I tie it up with curly ribbon (and think about my favorite movie The Elf while I curl them). Then comes the cute part...the tag. Last year I used sticky labels, but this year I'm kicking it up a notch. I re-discovered my Slice tool and all of the fabulous things that it can do this summer & was dying to use it again on another project. For the labels I designed them on Publisher and then printed them out. They're 2.5 inches in diameter so I used my circle punch to cut them out (bought it from Michaels for pretty cheap...before Hobs came to town). Then I used my slice to make a 3 inch scalloped circle tag and glued it all together. So cute & so easy...seriously the hardest thing was making a decision on what colored paper to use.
 

There you have it...MTT Night in a nutshell. Simple, cute, && easy. But wait, it's about to get even easier...everything  MTT that I've blogged about will be going into my TPT store by Monday. If owls aren't your thing I'll be putting a few different themes up. I have a few loose ends to tie up before it's the way I like it, but it'll be up on Monday at the latest and will be part of my Monday Made It link up blog. With clipart added into the package I can't offer it as a freebie (that requires purchasing a special license), but it won't cost you an arm and a leg.


After putting all of my teaching stuff back into my hoarding closet...I mean temporary teaching storage closet... I was blog hopping and found a linky for back to school outfits. I'm still in complete denial that I have to go back to work soon so I'm not thinking about a meet the teacher outfit or a first day of school outfit just yet. Buuuut there's still tons of summer fun to be had and putting your best foot forward is imperative. My closet is full of cute dresses, colorful tank tops, and skinny skinnies. I definitely know how to throw things together and look put together (atleast I hope). However, I'll be the first to admit that my normal attire for this summer looks like this hot little number...

Too hot to trot I know, I know. I personally love yoga pant type pants and a tank top...ocassionally I even make it to the gym because I'm dressed like this. When I actually do go out in public for something other than a gym session (or grocery shopping) I clean up nicely. Pinterest has been my inspiration for a lot of my outfits... && some I think of all on my own only to find that Pinterest thought it was cute too. Love it when that happens right?!?! The last part of tonight's blog is dedicated to the outfits I wear/plan to wear...you know when yoga pants just don't cut it as appropriate. I might be on a teacher's budget, but just because you're on a teacher's budget doesn't mean you have to look frumpy dumpy. High end names have never appealed to me...I work hard for my money and I'm not going to blow it on one shirt just because some magazine says you'll be cool if you buy it.  You can get the same look for a fourth of the price. The majority of my closet is budget friendly. Yes I have a few splurge pieces (mostly shoes and jewelry), but what girl doesn't?  Here are a few trends that I LOVE more than frozen grapes....

Trend #1: Coral {{anything coral}} Everywhere you look coral is one of the hottest colors around. Paired with navy blue stripes && it's {{shut the front door material}}. I'm not a big shorts person--I'm really insecure about my legs (I think it's God's way of getting back at me for stressing my Dad out when I wore all of the short shorts that I wore in high school). I should be thankful that I have 2 functional legs I know && I am..but every woman out there has an area that they aren't completely secure with and for me it's my legs. I really break out into a sweat at the thought of wearing them. Ironic because I have so many cute outfits that involve shorts. Anywho, my pinspiration is on the left and my {{got it in my closet}} version is on the right...

I changed the top from being long sleeved to a tank top--it's summer time in Charleston...do I really need to give another reason??
Top: American Eagle
Shorts: Target
Shoes: Steve Madden (looooooovvve Steve Madden)

Trend #2: White Shorts {{with a frayed hemline}} Nothing says summer better than a pair of white shorts && a great tan. While my tan is fading quickly, the white shorts are stocked and ready to go.

I've never been a huge fan of the flowy tops...I'll save those for when I'm prego (maybe)...so in my version I have a more fitted top. If there's one thing about a trend it's that you've got to take it and make it your own.
Shirt: TJ Maxx (shout out to the budget Barbies out there)
Shorts: Jessica Simpson
Shoes: GAP

Trend #3: Chevron {{any and all chevron}}
Hi, my name is Amy and I'm addicted to chevron. That is a support group I wouldn't mind being a part of because chevron addicts are pretty fabulous. My choice of chevron comes in the form of a dress. It's not hard to copy an outfit on Pinterest when there's a link to the store that sells it && it doesn't cost an arm and a leg to get it into your closet.

Dress: Red Dress Boutique
Shoes: Steve Madden
Belt: Nine West?? (on sale at Belk...not a splurge)

Trend #4: Maxi Skirts
There's an Ecard pin floating around out there in the land of Pinterest that explains maxi skirts the best...you feel dressed up, but they're just crotchless yoga pants. Whatever it is...I love them. I was hesitant to buy one because I'm short (5'4") and I didn't want to trip over my skirt (I'm clumsy as all get out). But when I saw this one on the Red Dress Boutique's website I took my chances and I'm so glad I did.

Top: Target
Skirt: Red Dress Boutique
Shoes: Nine West (even though you can't see them...again on sale at Belk)

Now that I've officially missed the entire beginning of the movie we rented, I'm getting the evil eye to shut this lap top down for the night. Soooo until next time, live, love, && make yourself feel beautiful...even if it's in yoga pants!

Meet the Teacher

Back to school emails have been pouring in lately && I'm just not ready to face the reality of the working world yet (working from home on teaching stuff...yes...working in my classroom teaching...not yet). Sooooo each time my phone dings with a new email I close my eyes, take a deep breath and pretend that it will be an email saying that I won a shopping spree (crazier things have happened and a girl can dream). The first time my work email dinged it was saying not to come up to the school until further notice because new carpets are going in. I'm stoked about new carpets (no more mystery stains YAY!), but not being able to get into my room until the week before we go back (and 3 days before I set sail on a cruise) has put me into panic mode. && now hearing that every first grade teacher's stuff is out in the hallway while the carpet is being laid 1 room per day has me freaking out even more. I'm a control freak, and self diagnosed O.C.D...my stuff being in a hodge podge in the middle of the hallway is officially my.worst.nightmare!  Here's what I'm workin' with...

August 5: Estimated completion date
August 6: Annual Summer's End Pool Day
August 7: Road Trip to Florida
August 8-August 11: Cruisin' the Ocean
August 12: Back to Work
August 15: Meet the Teacher

I'm not stressed about being able to get it done if they finish on time. If I have the 5th and part of the 7th before we hit the road to assess any damage that may have more than likely occured in the move && start setting up, I'm golden. I can push things into place and get my new stuff hung up before I even start packing for the cruise. If they finish behind schedule, I'm up the creek without a paddle drowning my sorrows && worries in an umbrella drink.

With getting into my classroom completely out of the question I've got to do as much work at home as I can. Time is going to be tight that first week back--we don't have a full work day until the day of Meet the Teacher. M.T.T. night is always really exciting, but I'm always stressed out trying to get things put away, decorated, and set up just right. First impressions are everything and I wouldn't be my mother's daughter without caring about the presentation of my classroom. Our M.T.T. night is done "drop-in" style from 5:00-7:00. Our students and their parents get to come into our rooms, check everything out, and get any of their questions answered. I always give my kids a checklist of what they need to do with their crew while they're in the classroom. Mine for this year is up to the left.

There are packets of information/forms at their seats that they need to take home with them && an estimation jar on the back table. I always, always bake cookies  as a little sweet treat welcoming them into first grade. I tie them up in clear treat bags with curly ribbons and a label (bear with me I know I'm crazy). The whole process takes each family maybe 10 minutes (sometimes longer if they have a lot of questions/anxiety).

My back table is where everything is set up... && I set it up as the focal point. When you walk into a party (not a college frat party, but a grown woman party...a shower of some type) there's always a table that's the focal point. Most of the time it's where the food is, but ain't nobody got time to cater a M.T.T. night && I'm definitely not having any time for food and drinks on my new carpet. My table is set up with the sign in sheet, the estimation jar, some fresh flowers, etc, etc, etc. A table cloth goes down to pull it all together. Of course I spaced out and didn't take a picture of my table from last year. It wasn't anything spectacular...don't get me wrong I had elaborate plans, but they got the boot when I ran out of time (and the power to not be frazzled). It was cute, but it wasn't something to jump on a couch professing your love for (sorry Tom Cruise). This year I got an early start && I'll just go ahead and say that it's going to be absolutely fabulous. Last year I took the simple route and used a folded piece of cardstock for my table signs...this year my signs are frame worthy...so I bought some frames from the Hobs (Hobby Lobby) and fired up Publisher to make these beauties.
 

The sign in frame will obviously go next to the sign in sheet (can't make that until I know who is in my class) && that will go on a glammed up clipboard (on the to do/order list). In the past I put their treats at their seats (rhyme not intentional), but after last year's running of younger siblings I decided against that for this year. This M.T.T. night I'm putting all of the treat bags into a basket next to me at the front door. That way I can make sure that only my students leave with a treat bag (and only 1 treat bag). I would love for everyone in the school to have fresh made from scratch cookies, but not when I'm the one baking them.

Another yearly tradition of mine is to have an estimation jar on the back table. Each student makes an estimation and writes it on a piece of paper. Mine last year were very plain Jane (I was a little embarassed when I saw them) so they got an update to this...

Something to hoot about huh?!? On the first day of school we sit down as a group to count the candies in the jar (I usually use Starbursts because they're wrapped). The person that gets the closest (without going over) gets to take all of the treats home...after they give everyone in the class 1 piece of candy (there will be no riots on the first day of school if I can control it). There are always at least 80 pieces of candy packed in the jar so they still have plenty to themselves even after being forced to share a 17 pieces.

My to do list is still a mile long && what teacher's list isn't at this point in the summer?? Of all the things on my list shopping would have to be my favorite. It's on my list of things to do because I need owl stuff- -ok need is a stretch--I realize that my "needs" are actually "wants." Either way I went shopping looking like the sweaty hot mess pot that I am after working out and picked up some pretty cute things. I'm loving this owl stuff! Who knew switching themes could be so much fun? My brain has officially turned into a pumpkin && it's way past the time I said I was going to make myself go to bed so until next time blogging world...live, love, and shop a little...ok a lot...shop a lot! :)

Monday Made It!

During the school year Monday mornings tend to look a lot like this…

BUT during the summer time, Mondays are just as fabulous as Fridays. Sunday night blues don’t exist and neither do manic Monday mornings. All is good in the summer time on Monday mornings...until you find a melted popsicle lying in your fridge. Yes friends, a popsicle puddle was oozing all across the top shelf in my fridge this morning. I don't have any kids (my furry babies don't count) so it left the culprit as my usually pretty intelligent husband (men I swear). After mumbling a few choice words, I cleaned up the goop, shut the fridge door && decided that today would be a retail therapy day. No gym...no workouts...just shopping...&& anything else that my “highly caffeinated-yoga pants wearing-teacher on vacation-self” wanted to do. A little Popsicle puddle wasn’t going to ruin a perfectly beautiful summer day. Since I’ve committed to changing my classroom up this year to be absolutely “be-hoot-iful” shopping is actually a requirement…what kind of O.C.D. teacher would I be if I didn’t search to the ends of Charleston for cute new stuff for my fresh carpeted classroom?? (I apologized in advance to my bank account/debit card). I came home with this…

Hobby Lobby for everything (except the pillow and the bulletin board- -those were T.J. Maxx/Marshalls finds). My husband thinks the lamp is ridiculous…I disagree && besides someone who puts a popsicle in a fridge doesn’t have room to talk about ridiculousness.


With my job requirement to shop (hey, I’m rolling with this justification) completed for the day, I was ready for Monday Made It mayhem. I’m once again linking up with Tara at 4th Grade Frolics for one of the best weekly link ups existing on the web. Before I could get to making stuff, my house needed some major air freshener. After spending the night away for 4 nights house/brother/pet sitting for my parents I came home to my house smelling very manly. That wasn’t cutting it for this Bath & Body Works scent junky (Caribbean Escape is to die for b.t.w.). I found a pin on Pinterest that was simple and promised good results. All you need:  2 lemons cut up (it called for 1 and I added an extra), a few sprigs of Rosemary, and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract. I simmered it in a pot that was 2/3 of the way filled with water for a few hours && my house smelled amazing. Equally amazing is how an amazing smelling house makes you feel absolutely amazing doing otherwise not so amazing things- -ie: laundry (overkill on the word “amazing” I know).

Anyway, moving on to my M.M.I. project. One of the original items on my never ending summer to do list was to make a new behavior clip chart. The laminator at school didn’t do such a great job sealing my chart from last year so it wasn’t 100% golden from the get go. With 18 clothespins going up and down its already ragged edges on a daily basis it had seen better days by day 180. It went into the trash with a lot of other stuff I hoarded over the year and this new && improved chart entered my world.

I made the color labels on Publisher, printed them out, trimmed them, and taped them onto the turquoise matting. Those got laminated with my little Scotch laminator (best purchase ever). Next, I hot glued a long line of ribbon onto the backs of each sheet so they would attach together && not be smooshed on top of each other. I also hot glued a loop of ribbon at the top so that the chart can hang from a 3M hook. && finally I added a chevron bow. It's the same chevron ribbon I've used on a few other projects for my room. ((I'm big on things looking like they belong in the same room if you haven't noticed already)). Really simple project, but be forwarned it is time consuming to get things lined up correctly.



If you're looking for a new behavior clipchart and you're a chevron junkie like me, I'm uploading mine to my TPT store for free. Until next time, live, love, and link up to Monday Made It to show off what you made!

Monday Made It (on a Wednesday)

I had big plans to actually be punctual for once on a blogger link up. . .and then the laminator came into my life. That’s right ladies (and gents if there are any reading) I finally bought a laminating machine && it’s the best $30 I’ve ever spent. I’m head over heels in love with this little machine and have yet another reason to love Target (as if I needed another one).

It doesn’t laminate anything huge (sorry no posters), but it has super thick lamination film pockets and it seals perfectly on even my thicker card stock creations. As far as I’m concerned I have found the most perfect creation to ever land in a Target store. It’s been a few days now since I brought my better than sushi laminator home and I’ve managed to laminate almost everything that needs to be done before school starts. It feels good I tell ya!

 My OCD is also partially to blame for my tardiness to yet another party. While I was digging around in my closet for my Slice machine (for my M.M.I. project) I found an unfinished project && those are simply unacceptable to a caffeine pumped teacher in yoga pants (nope, I never made it to the gym). I used to take a lot of pictures of my kids throughout the school year before I got engaged, planned a wedding, got married, and caught a serious case of mush brain. I took all of those pictures and made scrapbooks that my kids could look through during rainy day recess or free time. Somewhere between moving back to first grade from second grade and Bridezilla disease I never finished the scrapbook I started for the 2010-2011 school year. I knew once the school year started I would never think twice about it so after I laminated all I could, I dove head first into finishing this scrapbook. It took me all of 5 minutes to realize why I abandoned the project. 1. It takes forever, 2. There is junk e.v.e.r.y.w.h.e.r.e, 3. The tape squares get stuck to furry little dogs, and 4. It’s a pain in the butt to get the tape squares off the furry little dogs.

I’m not exaggerating when I say that junk is everywhere…check out just a fourth of my junk (&& excuse my no make up face). 8 hours later…project complete. It's a ridiculously thick scrapbook...I still have to get expanders to make all of the pages fit inside without it looking like the hot stuffed mess that it is right now, but the hard work is done and for that...I'm relieved.

With my laminator turned off and taking a rest from my abuse && the scrapbook fiasco behind me I could finally focus on my Monday Made It Project. I'm linking up with Tara from 4th Grade Fanatics && all of the other cutesy bloggers out there that have fabulous M.M.I. projects. My classroom has a tropical/beachy theme to it. It's full of tropical colors that I absolutely adore. I love my classroom (I think I've mentioned that before), but there's always something that I want to improve. My alphabet line is one of those things that has done it's job for a few years and is in desperate need of a make over. When I first whipped it up Slice machines weren't a thing that I knew about, Pinterest wasn't around, and my obsession with scrapbook paper hadn't begun yet. Now all 3 things are in my life, it's summer time, and my laminator was crying for more work to do. Right now my alphabet line is a pattern of fish (lime green), sand dollar (white...duh), sea star (yellow) and sea shells (hot pink). They're made from the giant die-cuts that our school has and are a little dated (ok a lot dated). I've wanted to give it a make over since the middle of last school year, but just couldn't put my finger on what I wanted to do (nor did I have the time). I know y'all have seen the cute pennant chains floating around on Pinterest. That was my pinspiration. I sat down and measured out a few patterns (while watching Kathy Lee and Hoda Woman), made a quick trip to Hobby Lobby for scrapbook paper, and started tracing/cutting out the pieces. After all of the pennant pieces were cut out, I hand wrote each letter (upper && lower case) onto a circle pattern that I made on Publisher...and cut them out by hand because they were much bigger than my circular punch. Then I used my Slice machine to cut out a circular background from scrapbook paper for the letter circles to sit on. I glued everything together, laminated it, and viola...my new alphabet line (well part of it).

I'm headed up to the school next week to hang the entire thing up onto the wall, but for now a picture of A-D is the best I can do. My fingers and toes are crossed that it has the look that I've dreamed it to have && that it stays.on.the.walls!!
Now that I've checked in and linked up I've got to tackle my ridiculously daunting to do list...am I the only one out there who spends their summer being their husband's secretary?? I love his guts, but seriously...me in a video game store? I'm sure I'll end up on some poor gamer nerd's blog because I have no clue what I'm doing. Until next time, live...love...and run some errands!  

What the What??

This post is going to have a lot to do with me and my life…not because I’m in love with myself, but because I got nominated for the Leiber Award by a fellow blogger. With this award come certain duties: answering questions, sharing 11 random facts about you, and nominating others for the award. The award is given to recognize cute blogs with less than 200 followers. While I’m honored that at least one person thinks that my blog is cute (thanks Pam), I’m having a really hard time with sharing the love because either all of the blogs I follow have a ton of followers already or they’ve already been given the award. Sooo I won't be able to follow one of the rules...Aye caramba! Here are the questions I’ve been asked to answer…

 

1. How many pets do you have?
 
I have 3…if you’ve read anything on my blog you’re well aware that I have two dogs that I think are the cutest things on the face of the Earth. I adopted both of them from the same local SPCA..a year apart. I’m a huge supporter of the Adopt Don’t Shop movement. I love sharing my mutt babies’ stories with the hopes that it will inspire someone else to open their hearts to the blessings that animal adoption brings. So, here’s the scoop on how my mutt babies went from the street life to the lap of luxury:

Oscar was the first one to make his way into my life. Jonathan and I talked a long time about getting a dog and even looked into buying one from a breeder (I hate to even admit this). Luckily my heart led me to Doc Williams’ website and I saw Oscar’s picture (Skooter at the time). It felt like he was meant to be with us…I can’t explain it…just a gut feeling. Unfortunately, they were already closed for the day. Small dogs are usually adopted really quickly so I said a million and one little prayers before I went to sleep. (I slept about as well as a five year old on Christmas Eve). The next morning I was up as soon as the sun came up and waited in the parking lot for them to unlock the doors...no lie I was seriously the first person through the door. A worker led my crazy self to Oscar’s cage and gave me his background:

1. He was found as a stray.
2. His sister was adopted the day before...and he was sad.
3. He was heart worm postiive (and I would be in charge of fixing that if I chose to adopt him).
4. He was 2 and although advertsided as a Yorkie (he does have some of that in his blood) he was a mutt...and I was fine with that.

He was the cutest little thing ever and my heart broke for him having to be alone in a cage without his sister. The man took him out and we took him into their “play” room. Oscar had absolutely zero interest in playing…he wanted to pee and he wanted to pee on everything (the wall, the chair, the bone, the door, e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g). So we took him outside on a leash. Now he wanted to sniff everything…he wanted nothing to do with me or the dude talking about him. I started asking questions about the heart worm procedure and learned that it could be pretty pricey. I started panicking because with a wedding coming up I was in complete penny pinching mode. I know now how smart Oscar is but this was the first knock you upside the head sign…as soon as I started doubting that adopting him was the right thing to do Oscar stopped sniffing and licked every square inch of my face. I fell in love, signed the papers, swiped my card, raced to my personal training appointment in West Ashley, zoomed back to Goose Creek an hour later, picked my baby up and never looked back.

 

Oscar was the only four legged baby until about a year later. I wasn’t really looking for another dog for us when I came across Ophelia’s picture on the same SPCA website…I was looking for a sweet neighbor…pinky swear. She decided she wasn’t ready to open her heart for another pet and I couldn’t stop mine from feeling an intense need to help this little dog. My big sign: her name. We decided after Oscar all of our dogs would have O names and I said Ophelia would be my girl dog name. My family has always changed the names given to our babies from the shelter…but her shelter name was Ophelia. She was a terrier mix just like Oscar (her face looks so much like his it’s crazy). I had the same crazy feeling that she was meant to be with us so I started calling the shelter like the maniac that I am. They wouldn’t give me much information over the phone (or my husband, or my mother in law, or anyone else I persuaded to call on my behalf). There was no way I could make it up there before they closed that Saturday and they were closed all day Sunday. Sooo I anxiously awaited for Monday. Unfortunately it wasn’t summer this time. Teaching was torture that day. I counted down the hours, then the minutes, and then the seconds. I had my mother in law calling every hour on the hour to make sure she wasn’t adopted and to try to convince them to hold her for me. Reluctantly they sort of agreed to that…I think they were more annoyed with us than anything and that was the only way to make it stop. As soon as I was allowed to leave I raced up the road to meet Ophelia. She was much taller than her picture made her look…and very hyper. Just like Oscar, she was a stray, brought in by her lonesome self, and she was 2 years old. Once again I started to worry that I wouldn’t be able to take her home after all (I’m a worrier obviously). I told the lady that I needed to call my husband to make sure he was on the same page and she put Ophelia back into her cage while I made the call. Of course he agreed and as I waited for the lady to come let her back out for me, Ophelia stuck her paw out of the cage and into my hand. Any doubts I had went out the window as I struggled to keep myself from crying (I’m also an emotional cry baby). I signed the paper work, swiped my card, listened to a worker talk about putting animals to sleep (she covered her mouth as soon as she saw the look of disgust on my face), got my long legged baby into the car and tore out of that place as fast as I could after I said another million and one little prayers for the shelter’s other animals to make it into loving homes.

My other pet is a fish named Gary. He started out as a class pet 3 years ago, came home for the Christmas break and never went back. I’m positive he’s much happier at home than in a classroom with loudness and little faces smooshed up against the glass screaming his name. He lives in a pineapple under the sea…I’m not a Sponge Bob fan, but this fish hut was too cute to not buy. I would have a farm of animals if I could, but for now 2 dogs, a fish, and a husband are just about all I can handle. Of course my first mutt baby still holds a large piece of my heart. She doesn’t live with me (my parents kept her when I moved out…they couldn’t part with her and I couldn’t take her away from the life she had with a big yard and plenty of squirrels to chase). Paris is the smartest dog that I’ve ever had in my life. She knows the names of her toys, will get them on command, and can tell time (8:00 sharp every night she lets you know it’s time for her nightly treat). She was adopted from a local animal shelter as well. We should be the poster family for animal adoption for serious.

 

2. What memory from this past school year makes you smile?

 

The funny things that my kids say or write are always some of my favorite memories. I’ve had the pleasure of teaching some of the funniest kids on the face of the planet. I’ve also had the pleasure of teaching some of the sweetest little babies on the face of the planet. They’ve taken little pieces of my heart with them as they’ve moved on from my class whether they know that or not. With that being said, I would say having my former students come back to visit me every morning this year (without fail) puts the biggest smile on my face. Having them adore you while they’re in your class is awesome, but knowing that they still adore you 2, 3, 4 years later is something indescribable. Hearing from parents how much you mean to their child is enough to make any teacher’s eyes water. Hearing that they now love school because of you, well that’s just asking for the flood gates to open.

3. What television show would you recommend for someone looking to start a new show?

Well my cup of tea might not be everyone’s cup of tea. I personally love the Real Housewives of wherever (not so much New York…I find them boring). I don’t aspire to be like these women. I just find it entertaining. Orange County is my favorite cast just in case you were wondering. As crazy as the ladies are, I can identify with most of them (well at least a tiny aspect of each of them).

4. How are you spending your summer?

I’m spending my summer doing whatever I want to do. Going to bed whenever I want to, waking up whenever I want to, having coffee whenever I want to…I’m going to have some major adjustments to make come August. I’m trying to get back into a regular workout routine (I despise going into the gym). I’ve made it to the beach one time (thank you mother nature for all the rain). I’ve read more books than I’ve read in my entire life (that weren’t assigned reads) and I’ve watched my mom retire after 40 years of working. It’s going by too quick so I need father time to pump the brakes on the August bus that should be earning a speeding ticket for how fast it’s racing towards me.

5. If you were to do something other than teach, what would it be?

 

If I had to pick a different career, I would probably own a bakery. I like to bake and desserts are pretty. I like to be surrounded by pretty stuff…so a baker. Honestly, who doesn’t love a cupcake? My bakery would be half coffee shop too because coffee is delicious && while I’m at it organic dogs treats too because dogs deserve a sweet life too. My name: Sugar Plum Bakery (after my first pet…a white cat that loved cupcakes). Or a party planner….which I would be awesome at!  

6. What is your favorite quote?

I’m not a huge quote person in the sense that I don’t go searching for them unless I need them for an intro to a paper (those days are long gone) or for inspiration. I guess that’s why most searches for quotes occur huh? Anyway, my favorite quote is this:
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”- -Mahatma Gandhi (depending on the website “wish” can be substituted for “want”- -same message, but my apologies if my version doesn’t use the correct wordage).  It’s my favorite quote because it embodies everything that I believe in. The world has a lot of ugly in it no doubt. So many people choose to put hatred and ugliness out into the universe and it’s disheartening. The only way to combat the bad is to make a conscious effort to throw good out into the world whenever you have the chance. I’m not perfect…I’ve road raged it up more times than I have fingers and toes to keep count && I’ve silently chewed someone out at the grocery store for having way more than 10 items allowed in the express line, but I do make a conscious effort to throw more good than bad out into the universe. Be the change peeps (and not that’s definitely not a political reference).

7. Do you have a favorite recipe? If so, what is it?

I have a ton of favorite recipes…anything by Paula Deen is delicious in every aspect except that it’s probably going to cause some clog-age of the arteries. Her mac and cheese is divine and her key lime pie recipe is heavenly.

8. What makes you smile?

Seeing other people happy makes me smile. Some other smile worthy things: an umbrella drink, time with friends, being in the sun (and not sweating profusely), completing a workout, shopping, being appreciated, my mutt babies…I could go on forever.

9. What is your favorite grade to teach?

I’ve taught pre-k, first and second grade…I would have to say that first is where my heart is. I’m sure it has a lot to do with loving the ladies that I work with more than macaroni and cheese, but there’s something to be said about the perfect balance of neediness and independence that first graders possess.

10. What are you looking forward to in the upcoming school year?

A fresh start…meeting my new babies and watching them grow…seeing my old babies and watching them grow from afar. Attending another first grade wedding and celebrating with the girls that have become my work family in every sense of the word.

11. What is your favorie thing in your classroom?

I’m in love with my classroom (it’s ok to say that right). I’ve worked hard to make it look like I want it to. I’ve worked equally as hard to make it run as close to the way that I want it to run as is possible with the life of 6 and 7 year olds. There are plenty of materialistic things that I love in my classroom (my Adirondack chair and everything my dad made for me being some of them), but the thing I treasure the most is the love and laughter that exists between the four walls of my room. My kids knowing that I love them to the moon and back (more than any test score they could possibly produce) is the reason I teach. Of course I want them to be radical readers, wonderful writers, super spellers, magnificent mathematicians, and terrific thinkers, but I also want them to feel valued for WHO they are. So, yeah, I love love. It’s my favorite. It kind of makes everything else fall into place when they know you love them && when your class is full up on love, it’s hard for it not be filled with favorite things.  (Way deep dude I know).

 

Next part…11 random things about me:

1 .I have matching freckles under each eyebrow (even my body is in love with symmetry).

2. My brother and I have matching freckles above our belly buttons (his is bigger than mine). I’ll pause to let the coolness of #1 and #2 sink in………

 

3. I could eat sushi every day...not an exaggeration I love it!

4. A lot of things taste better than skinny feels…apparently Heidi Klum has never had the pleasure of eating cheese grits. . .or sushi.

5. I’m currently obsessed with chevron.

6. I can’t stand clutter- -organization all day every day or my brain can’t function.

7. I’m trying to make myself fall in love with working out…not gym rat status…just not to the point where I would rather clean the bathroom than go to the gym.

8. I’m a scaredy cat- -alligators, spiders, roaches, blood, kidnappers, the dark, needles, public bathrooms (especially at a pool)… they’re all legit things to be scared of right?

9. I wear my heart on my sleeve.

10. My favorite candy is by far skittles…they put the fab in fabulous.

11. Napping is a hobby of mine…who doesn’t love a good nap with a comfy blanket? If napping is wrong I don’t wanna be right!

 

&&&& the. end.