I know it has been awhile since I have posted anything, but as everyone knows life can get a little hectic. The last few months we have had so many things happening in our lives: my sister's wedding, parent/teacher conferences, Red Ribbon Week, my husband's birthday, and so many more get togethers with family and friends to count. I feel like the last two months have been a celebration of everything my husband and I are thankful for, and we couldn't be happier. With that being said, I feel like today's post is simply to show how thankful for everything that has happened in my life professionally and personally. There may not be major ways I can show my appreciation, but I hope that by sharing a little bit of kindness with everyone I can help spread the love that this country and world needs right now. In the spirit of the seasn, I hope you take some time and tell the ones you are surrounded with how thankful you are for them. What are you thankful for this year? I hope you find something positive in your life to embrace and share with others. Check out some of my printables I have created for you guys to celebrate the holiday season: Here are the links to the printables above:
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Happy Saturday everyone!
Only a few more weeks until one of my favorite holidays of the year, and I am ecstatic to be spending it with family! I am doubly blessed to be celebrating with my family a week later as well for my little sister and future brother-in-law's wedding shower. This week has been plum-full of planning and getting my creative juices flowing for the special days, so I wanted to share with you what has inspired me this week: 1. Land that I Love FREE Printable This simple artwork is perfect for the 4th of July! Check out the link for the free printable HERE!
2. BHG's 4th of July Party Ideas
Check out Better Home and Garden's 4th of July Party ideas. They are perfect if you are looking for some clean, fresh ideas. Click here to visit the page! 3. Chic Centerpieces
Baby Center did an excellent job with with beautiful 4th of July table spread. Check out more of their ideas HERE.
4. Patriotic Pies An Extraordinary Day's post about this beautiful patriotic pie is more than enough to inspire any baker; if it tastes as good as looks, then I am sure it is worthy of a blue ribbon! Check out the post HERE. 5. Fireworks&Freedom board Needing a little holiday inspiration? Check out my Fireworks&Freedom board HERE on Pinterest! There is one thing that tops most people's lists as the dreaded endeavor: moving. However, it seems like our society has embraced...err, tolerated this nasty task in order to obtain its bright side. After all, we wouldn't move if the pros did not outweigh the cons, correct?
Moving is a task that I have embraced without a choice. In fact, I have almost made it a hobby! In the past 8 years, I have moved seven times. Yes, SEVEN times! If I feel crazy sometimes, I will just blame it on the frequency of my uprooting. For someone who grew up in the same house since birth and moving away to college was the first time I ever moved, I have definitely made up for lost time. My husband and I have bought our first house together, and we are beyond ecstatic to begin our lives in OUR first home; yet once again we would have to cross the Dreaded Bridge of Moving. I say it this way because this is not the first move my husband and I have conquered together. We move one month before our wedding. Trust me, all I have to say is that this move will be a piece of cake compared to the last! In the midst of sheer exhaustion, I decided to jot down some simple tips I have picked up over my moving experience that can ease the pain and process of your move. Whether this is your first, last, welcomed, or painful move, I hope that it goes smoothly and safely for you! 1. Start early. This is key to make sure you do not get overwhelmed. My husband and I knew we were moving in June, and May is a busy month at school, so I started planning at the end of April and putting plans into action the first weekend of May. You can call me crazy, but being prepared is the best way to help me sleep at night. Authentic Simplicity has a great printable checklist that will help you prioritize where you need to start. 2. Don't buy moving materials. If you are able to, I suggest to use resources and collect boxes and packing materials from local grocery stores and retail shops. If you call the store, they can usually tell you what day of the week their shipments will come in and they will save some for you. Save newspapers and magazines for wrapping fragile items. 3. Expect a cost. Moving is pricey, so always be ready for small fees: the rental truck, buying groceries in bulk after, household needs that may not be in your new place. Who knew so many rentals do not come with shower rods??? Stash a little money aside whenever you know you are moving so it won't be so devastating to your bank account in the end. 4. Label everything. This may sound like a no-brainer, but I feel I have come up with a method that works the best for me. When packing cardboard boxes, after you seal them make sure you write on the top a summary of what is inside. Example: "Books" or "Tupperware". Next, make sure you write the name of the room on ALL four sides of the box. This ensures that when you are moving the boxes, you can grab and go to its proper location. A time-saving strategy!! 5. Purge as you pack. This is always easier said than done, but it tends to be the most important. Make sure you allow time to go through items or rooms where you need to cleanse and declutter. These areas tend to be the ones you will start in the beginning; the areas where you store items or keepsakes. If you do not purge now, you will most likely take it to your new home and not use it. This declutter checklist is a great resource to help you decide if you should pitch or keep any iffy items. 6. Use what you have. In graduate school, I use to have this skill mastered: I once moved everything I owned without a single box! How you ask? Easy: I stored everything I had in a container or anything else at my disposal. Most items I already owned were stored in plastic tubs, containers, or storage bins, so those were already "packed" in my eyes. Here are some other tips:
8. Clean last. This is usually the hardest thing to do; you have moved all day, and now you have to clean a place you won't even live in? It may seem unnecessary, but in most rentals, you need to do it in order to get your deposit back. Trust me, it is worth the elbow grease! Your deposit will most likely cover your moving cost, or at least help out significantly. Finally, it is a courteous thing to do; to landlords and the people who are moving in after you. These are a few of my moving tips. I do not claim to be an expert, but I feel like this is not my first rodeo. Good luck with all of your moving and the journey that comes with it! Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful parents, current and future, who are out there doing everything they can to raise the best kids they can.
I was blessed to spend last weekend with my mom, and I hope everyone had a chance to see, or at least speak with their mom, aunt, or grandmother today. Have a blessed Sunday! Happy Saturday! We are down to the final three weeks of school, and three weeks until I turn the big 3-0! Maybe I have been slightly sentimental about this topic this week, but that's ok. I may be working on a post that expresses my reflections about entering this milestone of life. But for now, I will embrace it! Here is what kept me going this week: 1. Sweet Truths Jennifer Findley hit the nail on the head with this simple sentence; and this was exactly what I need to remember to get me through the last three weeks of school as a school counselor. 2. The Royal Family's Stand for Mental Health I have always thought that Kate Middleton and I would make great friends, and I feel this article solidifies it. Check out HouseBeautful's piece on the Royal family shedding a positive light on the importance of mental health. 3. Pufferfish Students This article hits so close to home. This parent is spot on about some students that we struggle the most with, but also reminds us as educators how we should respond to them. There are days when my students fight back hard, and my response to that is go the punitive and corrective route. However, we must remember that love and kindness is sometimes the path we must choose, simply because that is the path they are rarely shown. Check out this touching article HERE to get your goosebumps going. 4. Anderson+Grant Check out this cute blog by Anderson+Grant. I stumbled upon it while on a Pinterest binge, and this blogger seems to vibe right along the same waves of Joanna Gaines. If you are looking for an online oasis if inspiration, this is it! 5. Selina Dress by Boden This dress ups the ante for fashion, and is a complete change from the normal black I usually fancy. The combinations of patterns and colors go together surprisingly well; now if only the price would match my wallet! Check it out HERE. 6. Zac Efron's Epic Tumble Ok, this is just too funny not to see! Check it out HERE. 7. PBTeen Pillows These pillows with inspirational quotes on them are perfect for any girl or woman in your life who is a go-getter. Check them out HERE. Happy Saturday!!
Happy Sunday! I hope this last week found you well. School was a little busier than usual; MAP testing starts next week, and students are in full swing to get prepped for the end of the school year. It's hard to keep them focused with the beautiful weather happening outside. I admit the weather also has kept me from posting this weekend. It's too tempting to not go outside and enjoy!
Anyway, here is what has kept me moving through this long week, enjoy!! 1. The Journey of a Mental Health Professional If there was ever an article that spoke the truth, this is it. Check out MindBodyGreen's article right here. 2. BHG's Pallet Potting Table
With the new house in full swing, I am dreaming of my future garden. This table is definitely in the plans!
3. Garbage Disposal Solutions Tired of stinky disposal problems? I feel like this is the answer to my prayers! I cannot wait to try it. Click HERE to see the great solution from The Crazy Organized Blog. 4. Light Fixtures I never thought light fixtures would creep into my thoughts at night, but here they are, keeping me from sleep! Picking out lighting is more stressful that I would have imagined, so I am open to ideas! Check out my Decor Ideas Board on Pinterest to see what else I have been processing through:
What are your thoughts?
5. How I REALLY felt this week:
The struggle was real.
6. Nelson Mandela's words This man is truly one of the world's great icons for perseverance. The following quote were words I can relate to on so many levels:
7. Elephant Journal's Posts
As I reflect on the certain Facebook feeds I follow, sometimes I feel like I may be a yogi in a previous life. But for now, I will just admit to being in love with words. For example, the following words. Check out Elephant Journal here for more inspirational quotes.
I hope this upcoming week is a wonderful jump into spring! Happy working and love life!
Happy Saturday!
I hope this week has treated you well! Here were some of my favorites from this week: 1. Kid President There is something about this cute kid that has empowered my students; and somehow inspire me as well along the way. Visit his blog here and find out why its #yearoftheKid.
2. The Things Teachers Say.....
Whether you work in education or not, these quotes from actual things teachers have said during a normal school day give you a pretty good idea that we are underpaid. Read a great post from BonnieKathryn Teaching to start your Saturday off on a hilarious note. 3. BHG's Garden Planning Tool This cool tool is great for anyone from beginning gardeners to experts who are looking for a change. The planner allows you to choose from 650+ plants, and also allows you to put in landscaping options such as brick, fence, pergolas, and patio furniture. If you need something to jump start your spring gardening, this tool will do that! ClickHERE for the link. 4. The End of Mommy Wars Even though I am not a mom yet, this article spoke very loudly to me. I have many friends who have embarked or who are currently embarking on their journey of motherhood, and I feel these photos are great reminders to everyone who is joining to world of parenthood. It sounds like the website MomsUnitingMoms has the right idea. 5. Digital Safety Lessons Next week is Digital Safety Week at our school, so I have been looking all week for great internet safety lessons for students of all ages. The Book Fairy Goddess is right on point with these awesome lesson plans and handouts. Click HERE to see the awesome resources! 6. USBORNE Children's Books This week I had the pleasure of attending an online book party for this company, and I was AMAZED! Check out their website to see the array of wonderful, interactive children's books. Visit their website to see some of their fascinating books! I hope you all have a great weekend! Happy Saturday! Here are some of my favorites from this week:
1. Runway of Dreams Watch this video to learn about this amazing clothing like for people with disabilities. These people are the definition of game changers. 2. Gap Factory Who else can resist $13 sweaters?!?!?! 3. MindBodyGreen.com I am by no means a yogi or a hipster, but this daily dose of health news is almost enough to make me one. Check out March 24th's daily news. 4. MMMBOP turns 20!! My inner teenage girl heart swoons a little still; but on the outside I feel VERY old at the thought of this song turning 20 years old this week. And Taylor Hanson has a 13 YEAR OLD?!?!? Check out this enlightening article from Vulture. Happy Saturday everyone! The first day of spring brought some chilly air to Missouri this morning, but I am just grateful the snow stayed away from our part of the state! After a lazy morning, I became inspired by the realization we need another dog bed. We have two dogs, a Boston Terrier and a French Bulldog. They are not very big dogs, and when they do use a dog bed, they usually like to snuggle close one the same one. The problem lies in that we would like one in several rooms, that we don't have to more the one they use daily. I have been looking around for one, but just cannot bring myself to pay the money or one that I really like. Solution: Sew one! This afternoon I sifted through my fabric basket and came up with some great matches: -Two navy curtain panels I made one year for my classroom -One piece of durable cream fabric with a navy dot pattern on it The curtain panels were actually made out of a Wal-Mart sheet I bought; I have two huge windows in my office at school and I do not want to pay $50 for fabric, so sheets are more cost-effective. The panels were already cut to a good size, and I didn't want the bed to be any smaller than this, so I left them at that size. It was a weird length, 28" x 39", but I just went with it. I also took out the hem of the sheet to add a few inches as well. I then cut 4 stripes of my matching fabric: two 29" pieces and two 40" pieces. I put an extra inch on just in case. The strips were 6" wide. Please keep in mind I just kind of went with this. I followed no particular pattern and I have never made one of these before. Next, I took one of the navy panels and sewed the four strips to each side. Pinning was very important here! After each strip was sewed on, I then sewed the corners together using a straight seam to meet each of the strips. Last, I took the second panel and started sewing it to each of the four strips. On the fourth and last side, I left a six inch section open. After that, I turned the bed right side out and started stuffing it with stuffing! I actually did not have enough, so I still need to sew it up, but I will do that by hand. Below is the finished product with one of my favorite dog models! Happy Sunday! |