Dear December,

I am not a big fan of the cold, but I do like some things about you, December. I like coming home and turning on the lights to my tree. It seems silly once it is any past December and almost a little eager before, so I do really appreciate the lights and fun ornaments right now. Dorsey seems to like this part just fine too and has only tried to lick the berries a little.

Love,

the Cold One

back to business

I LOVE my job, but... I think I was spoiled by a whole week off. :(

I did nothing work related ALL week and I will pay for it staring tomorrow. It was fun while it lasted.

This sleepy head may miss me too.

Saturday Sounds

Tomorrow there is going to be a great concert and you are invited

"Album of Our Fall"

It will be a great night with music, some food and drink. You could also pick up a new CD. (Great if you are getting started Christmas shopping) It will take place at 456 Tennessee St. overlooking the Mississippi river, it's an evening that you won't want to miss!

November 26th, 8pm

456 Tennessee St.

$5 cover

It may have started with Amy

Does anyone remember Amy's song "Hats"?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NytXT-U-tg

I just listened to it again today and realized it really has nothing to do with wearing real hats. I really never liked that song all that much, but it was fun to dance to with hats.

(I know.... but I was like 5 and dancing to Amy Grant at 5 was good times. Laugh if you must)

Another hat moment is in "You've Got Mail" when Kathleen Kelly is talking about a butterfly who buys a hat a Blooming dales and it turns out to be a mistake.

Hats for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!

Stick a feather in it

wool newsboy

too much?

save it for the derby

I think I could make this

Christmas shopping?

Christmas shopping is fun and overwhelming at the same time. I want to get just the right gift and show how much I care and not spend all the money. :) I guess that is the goal for most people. I have started the idea list and gotten a few things here and there so far. I think this is also different when you are married and have two families that do things differently are trying to figure things out. Yes, I understand that this is Christmas #4 together (engaged year included) and this should be easier by now. This year I am going to try to make a few gifts and that makes me excited and makes me want to have an ALL DIY CHRISTMAS... but I don't think that would fly.

Have you started shopping yet? Are you making your Black Friday list? Are you trying to ignore that Christmas is coming until after we make it to Thanksgiving?

p.s. I LOVE Thanksgiving so much it may be at the top of my holiday list. I think it may be all the eating

Loving the days

Hey!

Just thought you should know I'm spending my time playing with a puppy, enjoying my job, enjoying house guests, and getting counting down to Thanksgiving!!

Have a blessed week!

Daylight saving time

Puppy didn't know he could sleep later...

Try and Try Again Tuesday

Last week I decided I was going to plan meals and this week was going to be home cooked goodness all week. I had two different chicken dishes that both call for corn flakes in one way or another so I thought it would be great to do them both in one week while I have the cereal.

The cereal has been a down fall of mine from childhood. "Pick one box," Mom would say. This is so hard with all the beautiful boxes as far as the eye can see. I still look down that row and loose my mind. How many boxes can one girl eat?! Do I really need 5 boxes when I am the only one who eats any of them and I always forget the milk? No, probably not. This time it would be different. I was going to use this cereal all week. [Once again not being able to resist a new box, I leave with more than the one box and shake my head in shame]

Well, yesterday I was ready to try the first meal... I ended up throwing frozen chicken in the oven for the sake of time. I decided last minute to go hear Ken Ham again. (So interesting but that could be a whole post) Today I was ready to try again and then I realized this morning that I was fooled again by the cereal aisle and brought home frosted flakes instead of corn flakes! (This is what I get for buying Kroger brand) Plan B was shrimp from my sweet grandparents who gift me with shrimp from the Gulf every so often. Still a nice dinner and I thought hash brown casserole would go nice with that and I knew I had everything because I planned last week and thought it would be a good side. Everything except the missing corn flakes for the top. I thought about how bad it would be to use the frosted flakes or to wash them off some how and then realized that I had potato chips and I thought that would work just fine. It did and all was well in the world.

Earning his keep

Chores include catching flies

Fall

It's Fall!!! (I know I'm a little late on this, but it is still fall)

It is time for as much caramel apple spice as I can drink. mmmm

It is also a great time to start breaking out those scarves and if you are not sure how to wear them... look no further.

http://jonesdesigncompany.com/fashion/this-is-fun/

25 ways in one cute little video

Fill in the Blank

1. This weekend I’m sitting with my sick puppy until he can lift his head again. I'm praying that is soon.
2. My last vacation was our yearly family trip with Alex's family to Florida. We love the beach!
3. My next vacation is to Disney World! We are going the end of May. Oh wait, we may go camping this fall and that is always a relaxing vacation for me too.
4. My favorite way to relax is with music, spending time with Alex, or sleeping.
5. When vacationing one should always get a spoon. Well, for me it is a spoon, but I think you should try to get something to remember where you have been.
6. When vacationing at a camp site you should eat oh so many s'mores!
7. The best part about a vacation is making memories.

(This post idea came from the Schelbsters. )

Thought for today

Watch "his eye on the sparrow lauryn hill et tanya blount" on YouTube

I'm sure that if He cares about birds He must care about sick puppies too, right? 
  Well, I hope you are all having a great Wednesday and know that you are cared for and loved. 

College Days

Here is a look at college days in the eyes of a 4th grader. I was listening to a few girls talk about the wonders of college at recess. :)

1. You don't have to go to class all the time but you should so you know what is going on and so you can learn

2. You can go get pizza anytime you want

3. You can wear what you want

4. You can go to the cafeteria whenever

5. You can drive wherever you want

6. You could also just go get ice cream

7. It will be so great!

What a Week!

It's the most wonderful time of the year! With new school supplies in the air and kids smiling due to light homework so far. Dorsey was all ready for the first day of school too.

Rachel sent me the "keep calm" picture for my first day. It is oh so true sometimes! Here is to a new year and new beginnings!

giveaway

Dots giveaway! Check it out and share with me if you win. :)

Happy happy

Happy birthday husband!

Oh Mondays

This puppy is not ready for early Mondays.

Friday findings

This week we discovered our puppy loves this little hide out.
Have a great weekend everyone!

Eli knows best

This sweet 4 year old wanted to show us how to write letters. He said what we were saying was an i was really a j.(see for yourself below his much better i)
He is going to be ready to teach his teachers a thing or two.

Zephaniah

3:17
The LORD your God is with you,
He is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
He will quiet you with his love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.

How to Survive 4th Grade

I am just about ready for school to start and I thought I would share this with you. I had my kids answer questions for next year students about how to survive 4th grade at the end of the year. Here are some answers that made me smile or laugh out loud.

The teacher loves it when ...

"you say, I will never give up"

"you understand what she is teaching"

"you complement her and she loves Memphis Tigers so give her a Memphis T-shirt"

"May" (really? HA)

You will surely get in trouble when...

"you talk back and Mrs. Thomas gives you the eye" (She also included a picture that was super cute)

The greatest thing about 4th grade is...

"Seeing friends and teachers who care about you"

"Having Mrs. Thomas for a teacher" (brownie points)

One student also left an additional note on the back.

"Dear 3rd graders,

I hope you will have the time of your lives and have a good year.

a 4th grader, M*****

p.s. DO NOT get Miss. ####"

Penny for your thoughts

Alex and I are trying to plan a quick trip for October. I would like to see a show and a food friend in NY but the hotel alone is a little high. I want to see the Grand Canyon bad. I want to go to a state I've never been to before. Alex would like any of that but would also really like to go to Disneyworld if I had more days off. What to do?! Jenny had the question on her Facebook and I thought it would be a fun poll.
So, if you had about 5 days in October where would you go and why? (It doesn't have to be one I shared)

Celebration

Happy 4th everyone!

Love, want, have

* love *
Dorsey and I love each other and I think he would stay in my send walking around if I could do everything one handed.

*want *
I want to make peach cobbler.
No peaches from our tree, but it still sounds good.

* have *
I have a lot more to do before the school year begins.

No surprise

What would Dorsey's favorite toy be so far?

Basketball

Thoughts?

I walked by the t.v. when this movie was playing and I like her hair. What do ya think?

Vacation

I love live love vacations!!! Sorry no posts here recently. I'll leave you with this for now.

Deals

Sometimes I like deals so much that when I see it I want it just because it is a deal. My husband also likes to find deals and found this one for a photo canvas. I've actually said I wanted one of these for a while now in different places in the house, but now that I have the chance I can't decide what to get. What would you want to hang on your walls on a 16x20 canvas? Do share :)

Magic Number

This number means it is time to work on the air in the Blazing HOT Blazer. Happy hot weekend everyone!

Meet Dorsey

We got to drive out to nowhere and pick out our puppy from his other brothers. I can hardly wait for him to get a little bigger and come home! Now for the pictures. :)

It's a little early...

It's a little early to say it's summer, but I'm excited it is warm and the count down to trips has begun.
It's a little early to be sad that my class has moved on and I know I'll miss those sweethearts. Well, maybe not too early for that.
It's a little early to have my pre-first-day-of-school nightmare where I'm in a new class and it is too small for desks and I have no plans. (Yes, I think I have a variation every year and first day off is WAY to early to start this mess)
It's a little too early to show you the entertainment center we have been working on, but I love it and can't wait to show you.
It's a little too early to say I've had a nice birthday because it is not until next week, but I've already enjoyed some birthday money. :)

Historical/ educational moment

I was proud to sit with my class today and hear the President share at Booker T Washington's high school commencement ceremony today. (We watched the live feed as BTW is in our viewing area) One student who was not really wanting to listen said he didn't know why it was a big deal because he is just a man. I told him I don't care if you agree with him or like what he is wearing or doing, we need to respect his position and respect him as our leader, so he listened anyway. I really wanted my class to see and understand that things like presidents coming to town and speaking at graduations does not happen everyday. I wanted them to hear from him how important education really is for them and their future. One of my favorite things he said was about how some people do not think they will ever use algebra so why learn it at all. Well, you are going to need deductive and problem solving skills many times in your life and that is algebra. Yes! Well, he said it better than than, but you get the idea. I also wanted them to hear that high school is only the beginning. I want every child I teach to graduate from high school, but I would also hope that many go on to college.

The school year is wrapping up for the year and I always think about how I am sending them off with my name on them forever good or bad as their _grade teacher. (It has been a different grade each year, but the thought is the same.) I want them to remember something that I have taught them. I want them to look back on the year as a positive year in their education. I also want them to grow and advance for many years to come.

Each year is very different from the last and I am looking forward to the year to come and also want to finish this year well.

.....this was a little more than I intended on talking about today but to sum up... 1. respect those in authority over you 2. education is so important 3. I stinking LOVE teaching and all my little ones I get to pour into for 180 days [360 for those lucky ones I've had for two years ;) ]

Moment I know he knows me

My sweet husband was cutting down the rest of the fallen tree in our backyard. I was gone and his dad was helping him. His dad had a rope around the stump ready to drag it to the curb with the other branches when my husband stopped him. "Maria is going to want to keep that." Yep, he knows me well. When we were cleaning out the flower beds I kept finding rocks I wanted to keep and when we trimmed the cratmertals I wanted to keep walking sticks. At first I was thinking it would be a cute seat outside or a table for out there or a small bench. Then I found different inspiration and may have changed my mind. What do ya think?

Where have the moments gone?

I didn't realize it had been that long of a delay from my last post. I know I have been busy and one sign is because I just looked today and saw I've missed three weeks of Glee. How did that happen? The weather has been crazy and I am trying to end the school year well. I sure do love this group I have, but I'll be ready for the summer. I have lots of home projects going to and even more summer ideas to come. Oh and it's my birthday month! Alex doesn't quite agree because my birthday is so far at the end of the month but my counter argument for this was that I could take June too if that was better. ;) I'll leave you with this preview of our new addition to come this summer. Happy May everyone!

Two is Terrific

Two years joined together as two. I am so blessed. What wonderful two years!

In a few months we will have a third :)

I can't wait to get our little puppy!!!!!!!!!!!

What's love got to do with it

Yesterday I pulled up the donor project for my class to see how many donations we have gotten so far. We have had SO many donations! They could not believe that all these people who have never met them would want to support them. I said that some of the people know me and hear me talk about them. One student said, “Wow, that’s love.” What a sweet picture for him to see that people care about him and his education. Thank you everyone so much. I sincerely appreciate all the support and love.

p.s. Only one more day of TCAP HOORAY!!!

View from the Throne

I painted this, and yes, it is happily hung over the potty. (I din't think you needed the seat pictured)

Wanted

I'm looking for these little cards. If you have one... or 10... I need them! It's for a project I am working on for my class. The cards are like free money for me to get some books we want. Look here for more information if you are interested.

We Have Lost Our Shade

Back in August we lost a limb or two from our tree in the backyard and this week we lost another two. It is time to say goodbye to that smelly tree. (well, only smelly for a little in the spring) Alex needed some help getting the branch off the roof and called me for reinforcements. It was cold. :( I was told I didn't need to look cute to cut a limb but I had just gotten home and did not feel like changing clothes just to get all bundled up again, but I did add a hat and my rain boots.

The yard was all kinda soaked from the storm and when the limb dropped it splashed all over me.

Lesson learned. Always dress grungy to saw up a limb.

I Want to Party All the Time!

Yay! It is a Saturday with nothing planned and it is beautiful outside!

Before I go out to play I wanted to let you know I am having a basket Scentsy party. It looks like this...

(the warmer here is for Autism Speaks)

I will be taking the basket to work for people to smell and shop, but I wanted to let you know too in case you wanted to try anything or have me smell something for you like this girl. :)

I have one that plugs in the all and I like how it makes a little night light in the hall. (I love the hearts it puts on the wall)

To order you just go here and click on my party or let me know and I'll get it ordered for you. I think the April warmer is really pretty.

This is a good deal or the combine and save deal is good too.

Have a great weekend everyone!