Random Thursday: If I was queen for day...

I decided I don't much care for reposting old stuff.  BORING!  So I am trying something new today!  I am linking up for Random Thursday with Em, Lin, and Meg.  This week's topic is...

 

 

 

I was queen for a day....

 

I would have would have a chef to make my coffee and my breakfast.  Probably fancy pancakes.

Then I would meet with my personal trainer to work off those pancakes.

 

Then I would have a personal stylist do my hair, makeup, and pick out my trendy outfit.

 

Probably this.

Source: modelcentric.tumblr.com via Elyse on Pinterest

Because really that skirt is amazing, and you could really only wear it if you were queen.

Then I would meet Princess Kate for lunch and a cute little place that has great salads.

Source: people.com via Courtney on Pinterest

Because really who doesn't want to be her best friend!?!?

And maybe she would let me borrow one of her hats!

I would go shopping at all the finest stores.  And buy lots of new shoes.  Like Louboutins or Manolo Blahniks.

Then I would come home to my king and Bobby Flay would make all of our food.

Source: joelens.blogspot.com via Linda on Pinterest

Calories don't count when you are queen.

Then after having some serious dessert and the finest wines, I would sleep in my fluffy marshmallow bed. 

With lots of pillows and poofy blankets. 

Source: dream-house-inspiration.tumblr.com via Elaine on Pinterest

I think that would do!

What a life!

Don't forget to check out my giveaway!  There are only two days left to enter!

Throwback Wednesday

Here is another old post from October!  Don't forget to enter my giveaway HERE.  You could win a $20 Target gift card! 
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Happy Wednesday! Let's link up with  Jamie @ This Kind of Love and What I'm Loving Wednesday and Michelle @ The Vintage Apple and Oh How Pinteresting Wednesday! 

 

I am loving that my school is having a pitch-in lunch today!  It is the first little event that our new social committee has started up!  In these stressful times of the education world, it will be  nice to have a little fun during the day!

 

I am loving that it is already Wednesday!  Thanks fall break for making the week go by faster!

 

I am loving that there is only 13 more days until the election!  I am so sick of all of the politcal ads, and I'm so ready for it to be over!

 

Here is what I am loving from Pinterest this week:

Source: wedideas.com via Elyse on Pinterest

 I am not a huge fan of purple, but I love these wedding flowers!

 

Source: projectnursery.com via Elyse on Pinterest

 I love the idea of a day bed in the nursery for naps when the baby is sleeping!

 

Source: squidoo.com via Elyse on Pinterest

I have been trying to decide what I am gonig to give for my little gift at school this year...perhaps a little jar of homemade caramel!

 

Source: pin2fun298.blogspot.com via Elyse on Pinterest

 Or perhaps some smell good stuff for the stove!

 

P.S.  I can't believe I'm already thinking Christmas!

 

 

Source: ohbiteit.com via Elyse on Pinterest

 Cornbread stuffed jalapenos...I die.

 

Source: basil-albi.blogspot.com via Elyse on Pinterest

 

Lettuce wraps with spicy peanut dipping sauce.  YUMMM

 

 



Source: tablefortwoblog.com via Elyse on Pinterest

Slow cooker beef and broccoli.

 

 

Source: thebeautythesis.com via Elyse on Pinterest

I have been growing my hair out for over two years, but I am loving this cut and color.  I want it!

 

And as always I am loving my life with a cherry on top!

 

Have a great day!

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I never got that haircut.  I chickened out. 

 

But those stuffed jalapenos are delicious!

 

Now go enter the GIVEAWAY!

Happy Blog-iversary to me! And a GIVEAWAY!

As of today I have been blogging for one whole year!  And what a coincidence that this is post number 201!  In honor of my blog-iversary I am doing some throwback posts this week!

 

 

 This throwback post is from September...that's about 5 months and a completely different job ago!

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There is nothing like a night in after a busy week of school. 

 

Is there ever a week of school that isn't busy? 

 

I highly doubt it! Ha

 

There is nothing also nothing like teaching your first graders about possessive nouns for the first time.

 

It is so cute to hear them try to say apostrophe!

 

a-pot-tropy

pot-troffy

pot-ry

pa-stroffy

 

So of course I tried to make them say it as much as I possibly could for my own kicks and giggles.

 

"Whose dog is it?"

"Brayden's dog."

"How do I write Brayden's"

 "Add pa-stroffy s" 

 

"Whose book is it?"

"Camden's book"

"How do I write Camden's?"

"Add that thing and an s."

"Add what thing?"

"A-pot-tropy"

 

I just love it!

 

I guess the more they say the word, the better they will be able to pronounce it right?

 

The kids also get a huge kick out of using their own names in examples, and they especially get a kick out of using the Principal's name!  Why is that?

 

Another interesting thing I realized is that everyone in my 1st grade reading group has a name that ends in "n".

 

Katelyn

Brayden

Camden

Peyton

Austin

Logan

Kamryn

Tristan

 

Isn't that weird?  Popular name trend in the year 2006 for sure!

 

Back to my Friday night in.....

 

I did actually go to kickboxing which I REALLY did not want to do...I was so tired!

 

Then I came home and took a nap until 7:00 because Kelly was still at work.

 

When I woke up I turned on Say Yes to the Dress.  DUH! It's Friday Bride Day!

 

And then I started making dinner. 

 

We had Key West Marinated Chicken and grilled asparagus.  YUM!
 

Source: grocerybudget101.com via Gayle on Pinterest

Mine didn't quite look like that because I didn't put it on kabobs. 

 

 I marinated my asparagus in oil, balsamic vinegar, and garlic salt.

I served everything up with some blistered fingerling potatoes!

(I think I need to invest in some non-rainbow wavy print plates.  Something more appropriate for presentations.  Ha)

I paired it with some Chardonnay served in my new cupcake wine glass from Kirkland's home decor.

 

A perfect glass for Cupcake wine!

It was a delicious dinner!

Now I am flirting with the idea of eating Kelly's caramel apple that's in the refrigerator.  I ate mine on Wednesday. :-/

You snooze, you lose right?
 

 Happy Friday!
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I miss grilling.

And just for the record, I still have the rainbow plates.

Now for the fun part!  In honor of all my lovely followers, I am giving away a $20 gift card to Target!  Everybody loves Target right!?!?


^^^^This could be yours^^^^



a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 I'll announce the winner on Sunday!

5 for Five

I took an extra week to finish my goals last week, but now I am ready to set some new ones with Jessica @ Fantastically Average and Jenn @ Party of One!
 

  

 

Here were my goals from two weeks ago:

 

1.  Post on this little bloggy every day. I posted 10 out of 14 days.  That's not every day, but I feel like that is enough!

 

2.   Set up ads for my blog.  I made this blue because it wasn't a total failure.  I did look in to it.  Twice.  But I haven't actually gotten it all set up yet.  It's going to require some redesigning of the blog, and well, I just have no idea how to do that on my own. 

 

3.  Make a cleaning schedule.  DONE!  I will share it with you guys at some point, I know you are really waiting in suspense!  I just have to stick to it now.  So far, I would say I am sticking to it about 50%.  Better than nothing though!

 

4.  Fix Carol.  Oops.  I forgot I said that I was going to do this.

 

5.  Get Kelly's Valentine's present ready.  Obviously green since the day has come and gone!  You can read about it here.

 

3.5 out of 5 isn't bad, even if it did take me two weeks!

 

Here are my goals for this week:

 

1.  Get some "big" stuff moved to the house on Friday night.  "Big" stuff meaning stuff we need a truck for (AKA the help of my dad).  We are getting SO close.  We have run out of little things to take!  If we weren't going to be out of town Saturday and Sunday, I would say we could be done this weekend!

 

2.  Contact my blog designer about getting a Sponsorship tab and sidebar.  I am graphic design-dumb, and I would just rather have someone do it for me!

 

3.  Stick to my new cleaning schedule 100%. 

 

4.  Workout every day this week.  I have still been working out at least 5 days, but I feel so guilty when I skip a day! 

 

5.  Celebrate my blog-iversary!  As of tomorrow my blog will be one year-old! Check back for a giveaway!

Pit and Peak

Happy Friiiiiday!  I'm linking up with Allie @ Tales of a Twenty Something  and Brin @  Bold Butter Baby to share the highs and lows of my week!

 

 

Pits:

 

I was out of coffee on Tuesday morning.  It was rough.

 

I killed my house plant that I have had for 3 years.  I moved it to a different spot and forgot it was there!

 

I woke up late today.  I just cut out my shower.  A little dirty hair never hurt anyone.

 

Peaks:

 

I was off school on Monday, and I got so much done, at school and at the house!

 

I bought new coffee.  The Spring Blend from Fresh Market.  It's a light blend of caramel and butterscotch, and it is delish!

 

I'm finally caught up at school, and I'm not going to have to go in this weekend...Booyah!!!

 

Kelly and I have got to spend a lot of good time together this week.  :-)

 

This hasn't happened yet, but we are moving more stuff to the house tonight!  Big stuff.  We are getting really close.

 

This also hasn't happened yet, but we are getting sushi tonight!  Well I am getting sushi tonight.  Kelly is getting fried rice.  Can't wait!

 

And the best part of my week is that I have way more Peaks than Pits!  Guess it was a good one!

 

Have a fab weekend peeps!

My Very Own Clip Chart

It's been a while since I have posted about anything I made or anything teacher-y for that matter.  In fact, I just remembered that I still have to post about my crafts that I made for Christmas gifts.

 

This past weekend I spent a lot of time creating a clip chart for my classroom.  The current behavior system that was in place was boring, old fashioned, and it just wasn't working for me! 

 

I had a lot of things to think about while doing this.

 

How do you have a system for 500+ students?

How do you reward 500+ students?

How do you keep track of their conduct so when a parent asks you about their conduct grade you can tell them exactly what's going on? 

 

Here it is:

 

 

It's your typical clip chart, but instead of each student having a clip, each teacher/class has one clip. 

 

Each level is an artist, and has a picture of the artist and some works they have done (Crossing off standards while I'm doing this because that counts as art history!)

 

They all start off as "Ready Rembrandts".  They can get 3 points if they stay here.

 

 

Then they can go up to "Wise Warhol" and get 4 points.

 

Or they can move up again a be "Perfect Pollocks".  This is 5 points.

 

 Or even they are really great that day they might even move up to "Awesome O'Keefe".  This is 6 points.  (I made sure not to use some of her more "feminine" paintings.)

 

 If they are not so good, they can move down to "Listen Leonardo".  2 points

 

Even worse is "Sad Seurat".  1 point.

 

 And if it's a horrible day, "Difficult Dali".  0 points.

 

The whole class can cause the clip to move, in which case I will move it.  Or one student can make the clip move, and I will make them move it.  I have a trusty clipboard with all of my class lists and seating charts, so if a student moves a clip I just put a mark by their name. 

 

I record the points that they get after each class on this chart.  Then we start over the next time they come to Art. 

 

And the class for each grade that has the most points at the end of the quarter, gets to have a "celebration".  No big deal, it's just a break from our projects.  We might do a coloring sheet (which they love) or have a free draw day.  Maybe a movie. 

 

And Voila!  That's what I came up with!  No crazy amounts of clips.  It doesn't take up any extra time, and it seems to be working so far!

 



I'm the kind of girl who....

I am trying something different today. 

"What?" you say.

"But it's What I'm Loving Wednesday," you say.

"What about Pinterest?" you say.

 

Sometimes a girl just wants to switch things up!

 

So today I am linking up with Holly at running in stilettos!

 

 

 I'm the kinda girl who.....

...gets up at 4:30 am so she can check her favorite blogs.

...can not survive the day if there is no coffee to start it with.

...loves cooking buts hates cleaning up afterward.

...would pick something spicy over something sweet any day.  (Although I do have a big sweet tooth)

...watches the weather every morning but never really pay attention to what the weather actually says. 

...enjoys a glass of wine every night.

...loves dressing up, but would give anything to wear sweatpants to school once a week.

...likes to watch Walking Dead every Sunday even though she thinks zombies are repulsive.

...can't wait to spend a night in with her boy every Friday.

...still misses her brother and sister every time they're away. 

...sleeps with the electric blanket on every night, even in the summer.

What kind of girl are you? 

 

Weekend Recap

Seriously y'all I had the best weekend!  So good that I decided to take a break from blogging...I did post on Sunday, but that was it!

 

Friday night we headed up to Indianapolis for a weekend visit with my brother and sister.  We didn't get there until about 10:30, and I got pulled over on the way up, but we had a little more time with Lauren than if we had left on Saturday morning.  Plus we got to sleep in!

 

Saturday my parents came up with the doggy, and us girls went shopping while the boys watched the IU game.  I spent plenty of money and I even got a new purse for spring!

 

Saturday night we all met at my brother's apartment (my family, his girlfriends family, and all of the boyfriends and girlfriends).  We went out for dinner and drinks at the Colt's Grille downtown.  It was so fun!  After that, all of us children went out to the bars.

 

So fun!

 

Then Sunday we dragged ourselves out of bed to go to breakfast at this placed downtown called First Watch.  I should have taken a picture of my food!  It was so pretty and delicious!  Then we all went to church together.  Probably the most boring mass of all time, but it was nice that we all got to go together!

 

Then it was time to say goodbye and make the trek back home.  We stopped by Kelly's grandparents house for lunch on the way back. 

 

Sunday night we watched Walking Dead, and it started to get good again.  Last episode was less than thrilling, but now things are heating up!  I am wondering if this show will ever have an end?

 

Yestderday I had the day off of school for President's Day.  I got so much accomplished! And it was so so so nice outside!  When I left my apartment the sun was shining and the birds were chirping, and it was 62 degrees...totally made me long for spring!   I went to school for 3 hours, got my entire behavior system worked out finally, rearranged the desks, picked up a little.  Yes all of that took three hours.  Then I had lunch with Kelly, and I went to paint some at the house.  Our apartment is starting to look empty!  Then I went to the store to get stuff for dinner this week.  I made dinner, and I went to work out!  Oh yeah, and that nice weather, it's gone... :-(  It started pouring rain around 3:00 and never really stopped.  Now it's 34 degrees.  Gotta love Indiana! 

 

Jam-packed I tell ya!

 

Last night when I was laying in bed I was so sad that it was over, but so glad we got to spend so much time together!  Blessed. :-)

 

Have a great week friends!

Sunday Social- Valentine's Day

It's Sunday and I'm linking up with Ashley and Neely for Sunday Social!  This week the questions are about Valentine's Day!

 

1. Best Valentines Day you’ve ever had.

 

 I can't choose!  All of my Valentine's Days with Kelly are my favorite!  Our first year, we went to a Japanese restaurant and a movie, then out for drinks.  Our second year, we went to Barr Louie for dinner and drinks.  Last year we went to Bonefish, and I got diamond earrings!  We always have a great time with each other no matter what we are doing!

 2. Worst Valentines Day you’ve ever had.

 

Back in my single days, my other single friends and I decided we were going to go out to dinner and go to the movies to see He's Just Not That Into You.  All the restaurants were too crowded, so we went to Grandy's (a local version of KFC).  And the movie was sold out.

 3. What did you do for Valentines this year?

 

We didn't completely celebrate yet.  We went to Buffalo Wild Wings like we do every Thursday.  Our waitress made us some treats!

 

 

But I got Kelly a getaway to New Harmony, Indiana, a quaint little town that's not too far away.  Our reservations include a one night stay at the local inn, dinner for two, and breakfast the next day.

 

 

I also gave Kelly a little gift basket.

 

 4. Best Valentines Idea if you’re single

 

Go out with your single friends!  Make dinner together and watch sappy chick flicks!  I'm not single and I want to do that!

 5. Favorite Valentines Candy?

 

Anything chocolate!

 6. Favorite Valentines Memory from your childhood.

 

Hmmmmm.  I don't have any specific memories from Valentine's Day as a child, but my mom always got us candy and a little present!  Even to this day, she stills gives us a little something with our candy.  Even the boyfriends and the girlfriends get something!  She is the cutest!