My New Love

Wow!  So much has happened since my last blog!  Last week was just beyond filled to the brim with places to go, people to see and things to do!

I FINALLY graduated with my masters!  With a 4.0 G.P.a. I must brag!  Yay!!!

This is me with my youngest brother.  I am hoping some better pictures turn up on other people’s cameras because I am not to fond of this one.  At any rate….I am done!  Hey Mama!  Check out my hood!! lol

My grandparents came for graduation and gave me the best gift a woman like me could ask for!  A chair!  lol  Not just any chair but an antique Victoria chair that I discovered and fell in love with over the summer.  If you know me, I am just a tad chair obsessed.   Folks, I would like to introduce you to my new love -The Chair!

Isn’t it beautiful?!!   I just keep thinking about all of the different ways I can rearrange my furniture in the new apartment and how I can best showcase my new love. – for my mom’s sake ignore the stuff going on behind the chair…they are still working on Christmas decorations.  =-p  Speaking of the parents – their gift to me was amazing too!  They are paying the deposit on my new apartment.  Yay for that!  Thanks Mom and Dad!

Tonight I went to Emma’s birthday celebration.  Happy Birthday Emma!!  We went to a Gingerbread House making party.  Here are some pictures of the fun we had.

Here are Emma and Maia after I helped them assemble their houses.

Joy and Lia being silly as usual!

Maia and Me decorating her gingerbread house

The rest of my week is shaping up to be pretty crazy too!  I can’t wait for dinner tomorrow with Heather and getting my very own Flyoung Studio original painting that is just for me and inspired by me!  Thanks Heather!!  For a sneak peek check it out on her blog. Friday is the last day of school before Christmas break!  We will be having a Polar Express/Pajama Day.  Y’all know I love to go to work in my P.J’s and pigtails!  I am so excited!!!  I need a break and I will be doing lots of packing since the move date is rapidly approaching!  I am sure by the end of the week I will have posted another blog or two about the insanity of the week!  lol

Oh!  And did I mention I am teaching French this week?  Christmas Around the World – the students had me singing French Christmas carols for them since the internet was down and they couldn’t listen to them.  lol  So glad I’m not shy.  And I love teaching the kids about Pere Noel but even more about his companion Pere Fouettard!  I am so mean!  lol

On a side note, I just finished reading The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath.  If you haven’t read it, you really should!  The writing is wonderful!

Also, just had to share!  I heard Britney Spears’ “Oops!” song this morning on the way to work and it just made me laugh because I sang it the way little Maia does “Oops!  You Stink I’m in Love!” It just cracks me up!  What a fun way to start my morning!  I love when she gets to the part that says “I’m not that innocent!”  She is all of 4 years old!  She is so sassy and does the dance too!  Gricell…we really need to record that so the world can see the preciousness of your daughter! =)

Hope you have a fantabulous week!!

A New Lease on Life

I haven’t posted in a while because of all of the strange things that have been happening in my life over the past two months. It all started out when the aliens kidnapped my soon-to-be ex-husband.

He started going through some sort of quarter life crisis and I think he lost his mind. I won’t get into all of the hairy details on the web. We all know what he did and I don’t feel the need to waste my time rehashing it. (If you don’t know, and are dying to, email me.) I am a strong woman and I am handling this well. He has pushed me away for the past few months and it has made life so much easier for me. My family and friends have been supporting me and keeping me busy since I left him on Tuesday. I am so thankful for all of them! They really helped me get through my first holiday as a single gal.

On to the positive and fun stuff! I am very excited about my new lease on life! I have so many things that I want to do and I started out by finding my own apartment! That’s right! I am officially out of the ghetto!! I have a FABULOUS new apartment in a gated community near my school. (Hey Lisa!  We are going to be neighbors!)   I have a two bedroom, on the ground floor.  I can’t wait to get all moved in, decorate, and have everyone over for a housewarming party! I won’t be moving in until the end of December, but I can handle the wait. =o) It gives me plenty of time to get everything organized, boxed up and ready to move. Thanks Mom and Heather for helping me pick out the perfect Princess Pad!

I have taken over as Lead Teacher for second grade. This is something I am happy about because, well…you know me…I like a little extra responsibility and being in charge. =op They don’t call me the Princess for nothin’! Congrats to Anne on her new little bundle of joy! I can’t wait to meet little Macie!

I am graduating with my Masters of Arts in Teaching next month! I am VERY excited about this! I have worked so hard and will graduate with a 4.0 gpa in addition to getting a HUGE pay raise! This is going to be a major season of celebration!

So here is to changes, celebrations, exciting new beginnings and buying all the shoes and fabric I want!

P.S. Happy Be-lated Thanksgiving! This year I have a lot to be thankful for!

Oh and I just can’t stand it! I have to add one more thing for your entertainment! I had a child poo, not just a little bit….I am talking a big old TURD on my the floor of my classroom on Tuesday! Wow that was really a metaphor for the entire day! At least I can look back at it and laugh!

Bewitched

Alas…my dream did not come true.  *sigh*

Usually I stay late on Mondays to get everything in order for the week, but I had to make a trip over to AASU today to take care of some graduation paperwork.

I came home and started cleaning up a storm.  I do not know what came over me.  Maybe it was prompted by my dream. lol I was such the 1950’s housewife this afternoon!  I started a roast last night and let it simmer in the crockpot all day today so it was nice and ready for supper tonight.  Mmm!  All the while I had the  Bewitched theme song was playing in my head.

Work was a bit of craziness again.  I had 2 students with birthdays – double the cupcakes!  Double the sugar!  Double the hyped up kids!!

Classroom Update

Today has been a good day!  I found out that I will be graduating from grad school with a 4.0 G.P.A.!  I am so proud of myself…I couldn’t help bragging!

I spent my day today working some magic in my new classroom.  I primed my desk and got the first layer of chalkboard paint on it.  I created my reading garden area and dress-up/centers area.  I also cleaned out and started organizing one of my storage cabinets.  I need some more storage bins and organizers to make the most of the space though.  I can’t wait to get it finished and post the “after” pictures.

Hope you are all having a lovely day!

House Hunting!!

The past few weeks have been ridiculously busy!  First I had Shannon visiting.  On top of that, I had to finish up with grad classes.  For some reason it seemed like summer semester would never end!  There was just so much work to do.  On our trip to meet Jason’s mom and take Shannon home, we stopped to visit my grandparents.  One of my aunts and uncles and some of my cousins came over to see us for supper.  I had so much fun spending time with family and playing with baby Callista.  She is such a ham and makes the funniest faces!  Everyone says she is just like me when I was a baby – she even looks like I did.

This is my cousin Ashley – Callie’s mom.  Callie is making her EVIL face!  She just the cutest little chunky monkey!  When she came over she was wearing a little onesie that said “I make chunky thighs look good!”  Love it!

I have also decided to buy a few patterns – WHAT?!!  Me, buy patterns?!  Crazy, I know.  I just wanted to make so bad I could taste them!

The other pattern I bought from Heather Bailey was for Callista’s Christmas present.  Ashley, do not click here, if you want to be surprised.

We have also been house hunting!!  This will be our first home and I am so excited about this!!  I went with my mom and Stephanie Yost, my realtor on Friday to look at houses.  We saw twelve.  Of the 12, these 3 are my favorites.  What do you think?  Which do you like best?

These are not posted in any particular order.  (click on the links “House 1”, etc to see more pictures and all the details.)

House 1

House 2

House 3

In my absence from blogging I have also been working on a quilt and made a few crafts.  I still need to take some pictures and post those.  I am about to leave to go to Charlotte, N.C. so that post will have to wait.  I will be coming home on Wednesday, until then…happy blogging!

List-en Up!

Heather – I am finally updating my blog – just for you. You should feel special.

I have been so incredibly busy since my last post! In the spirit of Heather – I shall make a list for you.

Thursday: (I actually posted a blog on Thursday, but left some things out.) Thursday was our last full day of school. We had our end of the year parties and clean-up stripped the classroom. Job search. Thursday night was the going away party for our principal.

Friday: Last day of school. Lunch at Ruby Tuesday’s with teacher friends. Job search. Teacher party. Dimensions Art Gallery. Lu Lu’s Chocolate Bar (I took my mom and Heather to all of them)

Saturday: Spent time with the hubby.

Sunday: Spent time with the hubby.

Monday: Post-planning (packing up all of my belongings). Lunch at La Nopalera’s with teachers – Thanks Paula! More packing. Job search. Nap. Start summer courses for masters.

Tuesday: More post-planning. Lunch with Anne. Job search. More packing. Nap.

Wednesday: Get moles removed. (I was at Georgia Skin and Cancer Clinic for around 2 and a half hours – most of that waiting.) Nap. Loco’s for the Making News: Savannah Style premier. Try to diffuse Jason  vs. Heather political debate.

Thursday: Doctor’s appointment. Red Clover. Parker’s for the most amazing lemonade ever. Got overheated. Nap. Finished reading “Wise Woman.” Long Horn’s for dinner. Trip to Kroger’s for bandaging supplies. Check out Heather’s New Etsy Shop! Become inspired to start my own Etsy shop. Blog.

Plans for the weekend include getting my car fixed and hanging out with Heather and Nick. Play video games with Nick while Jason and Heather continue their debate.

Mother’s Day Insanity

I feel bad for neglecting my blogs for a week, but when you read the rest of this, you will understand why!

So I had this brilliant idea that my students would make Black Apple Dolls that looked like themselves for their mom’s for Mother’s Day. The students were so excited about the project and I was too, until I realized just how much work it would be to make 15 dolls in 4 days. I took my sewing machine to work a few days this week and then stayed up late every night Monday – Thursday working on sewing and stuffing doll parts at home. The students did the majority of the stuffing, but the arms and legs were a little hard for them and they kept popping the seams. Needless to say I am over dolls for a little while. They really were a lot of fun and they turned out so cute! Check them out!

Many of the students had never seen a sewing machine before and they were all curious about how one worked. I think I have inspired several of my little darlings to be seamstresses. They all want to sew now. They are very appreciative of hand-made things – they know that I make most all of my skirts, aprons, bags, etc. They are constantly telling me how cool it is. =) Gotta love the excitement of the young. (I say that like I’m old – though truth be told I have a birthday coming up and I am much closer to 30 than 20. as my dad loves to remind me.)

Books-A-Million sent me some great coupons in my email today so I had fun going shopping. I got a few new books – The Secret Bride (about Mary Tudor) and Abundance (about Marie Antoinette). I also picked up a few gift items that I won’t reveal until after Mother’s Day. =)

I have also been dealing with AASU mess, since they couldn’t get my stuff together, they had to create a special topics course just for me. I am glad they are taking care of it, but dear Lord! Every semester they mess something up. I am so glad that I am almost done!

Well…I need to get going, I need to finish cleaning the living room and pack. I am going to spend the night with my mommy tomorrow and spend Mother’s Day with my mommy and grandma. =)

F.A.T. City

Frustration. Anxiety. Tension.

I recently had some staff development in students going through the F.A.T. City. Today, I journeyed through that dread place. AASU has managed to find yet another way to mess up my paper work. They really can’t get it together over there! One of the courses I took last summer was supposed to have been 4 credit hours but they only gave me 3. Now I am one hour short of graduating. I have to go meet with the head of the department tomorrow to figure out what needs to happen. I think they need to give me the hour, but they may make me take another course this summer.

I am still trying to figure out what is going on in the job front. I have to keep thinking positive thoughts and praying and what will be will be.

Ya know…I think I just need to get all dolled up and spoil myself. Whatcha think?

Alternatively, I could call Jeremy for a rematch of our Beale’s Dress Off – He Won!

Just looking at that picture brightens my day!

Creative Kids

So today was the day for creative projects in my class room.  The kiddies worked on their Regions of the U.S. scrapbooks – you should have seen the floor!  I wish I had taken a picture!  Construction paper and various other scraps were very close to turning into monsters and taking over the room – I kid you not.  This was during the morning.  Our afternoon adventures involved paint.  Have I lost my mind?  All this in one day?  When in the creative spirit, why not?!  The little darlings have been diligently working on their biome projects and finally got to sculpt their animals last week.  Today they got to start painting them.  I think I may let them work a little longer on them tomorrow.  Yeah….I’ve lost it!  =p

This isn’t one of mine, but gives you a visual on how some of them looked!  I must remember to take pictures tomorrow!  Heather – it makes me think of the day that my dear old George painted his face entirely red in your art class.  I really wish we’d had a camera that day – just the whites of his eyes glowing out of that red face!  What a riot!

Tonight was my last night of class.  For our final we did fun group presentations.  It was great!  I registered to take another class with Dr. Connor this summer.  She is very inspiring & hopefully I will be working with her in the fall!

When it rains, it pours – literally!

I just wanted to sing “Rain, Rain, Go Away!” today.

Going back to work today was just insanity!  When I came in my room was in a major state of disarray.  The school’s spring festival got rained out on Saturday and apparently my room was everyone’s work space.  None of my students desks were in the right spaces and their belongings were not in their desks – needless to say – CHAOS!!  My assistant came in and I asked her how things had gone on Friday.  She said “You don’t even want to know!”  One of my students got sick all over the classroom, shifts for the spring fest weren’t covered so she had to step in and cover them, the day was just a general mess. My classroom has been completely contaminated over the past few weeks and no matter how many times we wipe down everything with antibacterial wipes these germs just keep coming back!  Strep, Viruses, and Ring Worm Oh My!

I was really worried that my toads had escaped again, but I found them.  Frog and Toad buried themselves to stay wet over the weekend under the mulch by one of their water pools.  I was scared because of all the trouble that I went through with Mimi and Lola escaping or being toad-napped earlier this year.  Whew!

Enough of my rant – Though my day was busy it wasn’t a bad one.  I had to go grocery shopping and then come home and cook, so no crafty time today.  I am slightly sad, but oh well!  I’ll just have to have a major crafting day this weekend to catch up on all that I have been longing to do, but have not had the time for.  Oh!  I have to brag!  My classroom website has now had almost 5,500 hits!  It just makes me happy!  Another thing that makes me happy is tomorrow is my last night of Tuesday night classes!  I enjoy the class, but it frees up my evening for at least a few weeks.  =)

I am so proud of my little brother!  You may remember me saying that he entered some of his work into the school’s media festival and it moved on to state, well now it has progressed to the international level!  Wow!  Go David!