Sorry..

there is no way my brain is coming up with a witty post title tonight.

I'm so tired! I've been up since three with a sick little puppy.  I'm not quite sure what the problem was, but we had two puky episodes between three and five.  I gave up trying to go back to sleep after the five o'clock  episode so I came out into the living room and knit for a while.  The little one followed me out, walked over to her food bowl, and chowed down.  I wanted to cry just a little.  She seems to be fine now and I am hoping for a restful night.

I HAD to mow my lawn when I came home .  It was just THAT bad.  It took me a while and I'm not even finished with the weed-whacking part.  I have an electric weed-eater and it ran out of juice halfway through the whacking.  I'm gonna have to come home tomorrow night and finish up.

Fortunately for me, the kiddos were good today.  We had a fun day and they don't hate school...so far.  They did have homework tonight, but just a little.  I am trying to ease them back in gently.  They think that is pretty cool of me.

I was able to get my hands on a couple of CD ROM things that I needed for school.  I just spent the last three quarters of an hour printing out stuff that I need for the rest of the week.  I was supposed to take an apple to school today for a demonstration but I forgot.  Most likely because I was too busy remembering to take my coffee.  Coffee was more necessary for survival today than the apple demo.  In my opinion anyway.

Short one again tonight.  And no pictures.  I'm a blogger fail.  :(

Goodnight!

Another year...

Today was the first day of the new school year.  And....it was a great day.

:)

I have 15 students this year and 12 of them are kids I had last year.  The other 3 are from the other class who requested to be in my class this year.  Needless to say, I have an amazing group of kids.  I am so excited about this year...even more than I was last year.

I don't have pictures to post because I keep forgetting to take my camera.  I will try to remember tomorrow.

Right now I am enjoying a lovely iced coffee from Dunkin Donuts.  I had a diet fail today.  I went to the grocery store after school because I needed to pick up a few things.  I ended up leaving with some peanut M&M's.  Oh how I love them.  I will have to do much better tomorrow.

:o/

Now it's time to knit so...

goodnight!  :)

One would think...

that I am trying to freak my BFF out by posting THREE days in a row.

;o)

Today was a good day.  I completely finished my classroom (and promptly forgot to take pictures) and I must say that it looks good.  Even better than last year, perhaps.  The parents come tomorrow and all I have to do is plug in the air fresheners as soon as I get there in the morning so that my room smells pleasant.

We have a new online grading system this year and, I have to tell you, the thing has me stymied!  It is really hard to figure out and the lesson plan part of it is complicated.  I am not going to stress out about having plans done by Friday.  We have Friday off (have I mentioned how much I LOVE my principal?!?) and I am going to work on my plans then.  I am so excited about this bonus day off!  The weather is supposed to be nice so I am going to do some work and then maybe go out for lunch at a place where I can sit and knit for a while....with a good cup of coffee.  I'd love to go into the city but that would be WAY more fun with someone else.  Hint, hint, BFF.  ;o)

I'm literally in the middle of typing a "Welcome Back" letter to the parents and I am stuck.  I feel like it sounds kind of phony even though it is totally sincere.  I need to finish it tonight, though, so I can put it in my packet for tomorrow.

I have been pretty diligent with my eating this week.  I don't know if I have officially lost any weight because I refuse to get on the scale right now.  I am trying to focus more on making healthy choices rather than a number on the scale.  I did try on a blouse that I bought last Friday, though, and it felt a little looser.  That made me feel better and gave me a little more willpower.  I was so proud of myself on Monday...I bypassed the Danish and other sweets that were provided for us for breakfast.  I happily ate my Greek yogurt and didn't feel like I was missing out on anything.

Ok.  I have to get back to this letter!

Goodnight!

:)

Day two...

Second day back and thankfully I'm not quite as tired as I was last night.  By the time I went to bed last night I was so tired I couldn't fall asleep.  I hate when that happens.

I worked hard again today but it was worth it.  My classroom is pretty much ready except for a few things I need to finish up tomorrow morning.  I am hoping that, after our morning meetings, I will be able to start working on my lesson plans.  That's one thing I'm not looking forward to.

Hopefully I'll remember my camera tomorrow so I can show you what my room looks like.  I didn't change much around in the way of furniture, but I do have some new things up this year.  I LOVE my "Welcome Back" board this year.

I still have a few final things to pick up from Target, too.  I am hoping I can leave a little bit early tomorrow so I can get to Target without being stuck in a lot of traffic.

My knitting is going well.  I am still loving the shawl I am working on but there are a few oddities to it that I can't figure out.  I am sure that I am doing something wrong, I'm just not sure what.

I should do some laundry tonight but, well, that's not going to happen.

This post is getting seriously disjointed so I am going to wrap it up for now.

Two days in a row.

You're welcome.

:)

Zzzzzzzzzzzz...

O Holy Night...I am so tired!

Today was my first day back at work since the end of May.  While I had a wonderful summer and while I was ready to start this school year, I have to tell you...I am SO tired!

We had meetings this morning (of course) but they weren't awful.  My principal really is a good guy and he tries to make meetings as profitable and "entertaining" as possible.

The afternoon was dedicated to working in our classrooms.  And when I say working, I mean WORKING! I moved all my furniture from one corner of the room back to where it belongs.  In doing so I pulled a muscle in my chest.  I have to be careful how I lay down because, sheesh, the pain is intense!  Fortunately, I have some staff kids (who will also be my students) coming in to help me tomorrow so I won't have to move anything heavy.  I am anticipating soreness beyond my wildest imaginations tomorrow!  :o/

Good news!  I am getting all my kids back this year!  All the kids from my class last year that are returning this year requested to be in my class (plus two from the other class).  Whoo-hoo!  According to the registrar, once word got out that I was moving up to 5th grade the phones "lit up" with parents who wanted their kid in my class.  That was a nice ego-booster.  :)

And now, I am going to retire for the evening.  Did I mention that I was tired?

:)

p.s.  I never thought these words would come out of me but, Go Pats, clip those eagles' wings.  Because really, anybody but the eagles (or the redskins)!  Oh...and that's not passive-aggressive.  That's just out-right blunt.  ;o)

I know, I know...

It's been a while...

(again)

Last Sunday was not a good day for me, and, to be truthful, neither was Monday.  You would think that as the years go by it would get easier.  It doesn't.

Tuesday miss raven and I took our last official "vacation" of the summer.  We packed up and headed to the beach for a few days.  My love of the beach is well documented and I was thrilled to be there, even if it was only for a few days.

The weather was gorgeous and I only got a teensy bit burned on the backs of my legs.  I saw a large pod of dolphins on Wednesday morning...I think that was the highlight of the whole trip.  It was pretty early in the morning, the beach wasn't crowded, and there they were, playing in the water.  Because my camera isn't top of the line I couldn't get a decent picture of them.  Sometimes, though, it is nice just to have the memories of something.

My summer is officially over now as I go back to work tomorrow.  I am actually kind of looking forward to it.  As nice amazingly wonderful as my summer as been, I'm ready to see my kiddos again.  I am hoping to have all of my returning students again this year.  I know there are some new kids and I am hoping they fit in as well as the new ones did last year.  I have four bags packed and ready to take in tomorrow.  I also have a basket of books but that may have to wait until later in the week.  I still have to put everything in my room back into place and that will probably take up most of the day tomorrow.  Well, whatever I have left of the day after all the back-to-school meetings are over.  I have to have my room all ready by Thursday morning as that is when the parents will be coming for orientation.  Thankfully, it is in the morning so no one has to stay late this year.

My knitting is going well.  I am working on a shawl that I am loving right now and so far it actually looks good.  I have four scarves blocking right now and am hoping to have some pictures of them to post soon.

Have a great Monday!  :)

seven...

seven years feels like a lifetime.

some days it's hard for me to believe you have been gone for so long.  there are times when i still find myself reaching for my phone to call you when i am desperate for someone to talk to.  especially in the last two years.  you were so right about a lot of things and a lot of people.  i should have listened to you more.

i still get angry that you're gone.  i still cry.  i still feel pain so intense i feel like my heart is being ripped out.  i still find it hard to breathe sometimes.

i wish i could talk to you.  so much has happened that you should have been a part of.  i hate that you have missed so much.

seven years feels like a lifetime...

I suppose that "streaky"...

is more like it.

I blinked my eyes and a whole week went by.

How did that happen??

I can't even tell you that much happened over the last week because not much did.  I knitted, I read, I napped, I drank coffee.  Yep.  That's pretty much it.

I did go out this morning in the deluge to go to my hair appointment.  I'd show you a picture but, truth be told, it doesn't look much different.  I wish I would have had her cut it a little shorter.  She did manage to talk me into the fancy-pants shampoo and conditioner that she used on me.  Apparently my hair is a little coarse and needs more protein.  I couldn't afford the super special serum she wanted me to buy.  Maybe next time.

I also pretty much solidified my reading list for this school year:

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh by Robert C. O'Brien

Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Sounder by William H. Armstrong

The Mysterious Benedict Society (book one) by Trenton Lee Stewart

The first three are Newberry winners and the last one is relatively new.  I wanted so badly to like The Westing Game but I found it difficult to follow.  If it is hard for me to follow then I know it will be extremely difficult for some of my students.

I also picked up The Name Of This Book Is A Secret to read to them.  This is also the first book in a series so if they like this one I'll move on to the second one.

It's hard to believe that school starts in just a few weeks.  Although the summer has felt long at times, I have really enjoyed this break.  I needed some time to relax and this has been wonderful.  I have some goals for this upcoming year, some of which I will be sharing in the next few weeks, but my number one goal (and yes, I know I have said this before), is to lose weight and be healthier.

I went into Old Navy today because I had a coupon and their jeans were on sale.  When I realized, though, that in order to be comfortable in my jeans I would have to go up yet ANOTHER size, I put the jeans back and determined that I was, once and for all, tired of being overweight.  I don't care if I waste the coupon, I don't care if the jeans were on sale.  I am NOT buying a larger pant/jean size.  I didn't even want to look in the mirror when I was getting my hair cut because I felt like my face looked so fat.  I know what to do.  I know how to do it.  I just need to be determined enough to actually DO it.  I will do my best to give you progress reports on a weekly basis.  Perhaps that will help me be a little more accountable.  I am hoping to lose about thirty pounds before Christmas.  It won't be enough, just a drop in the bucket, but it will be a start.

Have a happy Friday and a WONDERFUL weekend!

:)

Streaking...

I'm really trying to get back into blogging more consistently.  So, looky here...three days in a row!  Could this be considered a streak??

I scored an amazing deal at JoAnn's today.  They were having a great sale AND I had a coupon for 25% off my entire purchase INCLUDING sale items.  That almost never happens so I wanted to take full advantage.  I did get a couple more pairs of circular needles, some point protectors, some ribbon, and two knitting books.  The books were already 40% off and then the whole 25% off thing was added to it.  YOWZA!

Normally I don't bother with ribbon.  I'm not crafty like that.  My BFF had tons of ribbon and can do amazing things with it.  I needed to get some, though, because I found this really cute idea for my classroom. You take a length of ribbon, hot glue wooden clothespins to it, hang it up, and viola!  instant paper hanger!  I love this idea and am already planning on using it in a couple of ways, including writing the names of each of my students on a clothespin and using it as a sort of mail system.  :)

The other idea was to take contact paper, trace your hand on it, cut it out, write something positive on it, and then stick it to the kid's back...it's a "pat" on the back.  I really, really like this idea and went out and got the contact paper today as well.

Right now I am trying to figure out what novels I want the kids to read this year.  At the top of my list is the Black Stallion.  I am also considering The Borrowers and The Mysterious Benedict Society.  Anyone out there have any other suggestions?

The countdown has begun.  The football countdown, that is!  September 5th is the kickoff and I am SO ready for some football.  As much as I have LOVED my summer, I cannot wait until football begins.

Stop rolling your eyes and making faces, BFF.  It isn't polite.

;)

My big day out...

Although I still have roughly two and a half weeks of vacation left, other teachers in the area do not.  Trust me when I tell you that, as a teacher, it is no fun at all to have to settle for leftovers when you visit your local teacher supply store.  I decided to get a little jump on things and head to the closest one today.

I scored some pretty awesome stuff.  I decided that my "Welcome Back" theme was going to somehow incorporate fuzzy monsters.  Truly, they are adorable and I love them dearly!  I got border, letters, cut-outs, smelly stickers, name plates, and a poster.  I even managed to find monster birthday cards.  The coolest thing I found, though, were two small books of writing prompts.  I am moving up to fifth grade this year and I am planning on having my kids journal daily.  They will most likely hate it but it will be good for them.  My favorite one has a vocabulary word/definition for each day and then a question to answer that uses the vocab word.  Here's an example:

pandemonium:  wild uproar; complete chaos (noun)

Pretend you are a zookeeper who comes to work and discovers that all the animals have escaped from their cages.  Write a short story about the pandemonium at the zoo.

I LOVE this little book and can't wait to use it!

side note:  OF COURSE it's raining.  I went outside earlier and watered all the plants.  Hmph!

On the way home I decided to stop at Wal-Mart.  They have this wonderful pineapple-coconut flavored fizzy water that I love.  I got a couple of bottles and some other stuff.  Honestly, between Target and Wal-Mart I spend WAY too much money!  I was greatly annoyed at the lack of customer service at the Wal-Mart that I went to.  When I got in line the cashier said something to me but, because she spoke softly, I had to ask her to repeat what she said.  She got all huffy and told me that she couldn't give me cash back at her register.  I told her that was ok, as long as I could use my debit card I was fine.  She rolled her eyes and walked off.  I did a double take and just kind of stared at her.  I don't know what she was doing but she eventually came back and started scanning my purchases.  She didn't say a word to me but slammed a couple of my things down into the bags.  I was fuming by that point and just really wanted to get out of there.  When she handed my my receipt I said "I certainly hope your day gets better." in as frosty a tone as I could muster.  She looked a little stunned and told me that she wasn't having a bad day.  I said, "Oh, well that's hard to tell, then."  and walked off.  I contemplated finding the manager but decided against it because it never seems to do any good anyway.

No trip out would be complete without a stop at Dunkin Donuts.  Large, blueberry iced coffee with cream, anyone?

Finally, I rounded out my big day out with a stop at the library.  I got an e-mail notification yesterday that the second Hunger Games book I had requested was ready for me to pick up.  It's an audio book so I can knit and read at the same time.  Score!

Have you heard of Group Dealz?  OMG!  I have found some super-cute things there.  Today I couldn't resist ordering the "I love my state" pillow.  Texas, of course.  :)

Hope you are having a wonderful day, wherever you are!

:)

Welcome back, me!

I've been away for a bit but I promise, it was for a good reason.

I was visiting her

and her

Yea for a visit with my BFF!!!!

We did a whole bunch of stuff including visiting the Memphis Zoo, walking on Beale Street (which, I am sad to say, was rather a disappointment), trolley riding through downtown Memphis, and watching the Olympics Opening Ceremony.  I am happy to report that a wonderful time was had by all.

Well...not by her

My girl is such a homebody.  I can't say that I blame her.

Anywho.

We've been home for a few days and I thought I should probably let you all know I am still alive.  Even better, today, for the first time in probably a year, I can contribute to Ginny's Yarn Along!



Look, look, look at what I have done!

My first knitted scarf:

My first knitted lace scarf:

A scarf version of The Camping Shawl (on Ravelry)

and, on the needles, the Helix Scarf:

I did read two books while I was gone.  Sadly, I am too lazy to get up from the couch, get my Kindle, and take a picture of them.  One was a knitting mystery (along the same line as the crochet mysteries I read last summer) and the other was the same type only it was set in a cupcake shop.  They were cheesy, but they were good.

I will do my best to be back tomorrow.  I only have a few short weeks of vacation left and I want to enjoy every second of them!