Maria's Moments

Dear December,

2011-12-01T20:44:00.003-06:00

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

2011-11-27T23:02:00.002-06:00

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

2011-11-25T22:37:00.004-06:00

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

2011-11-22T22:14:00.008-06:00

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?

2011-11-15T22:26:00.003-06:00

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

2011-11-14T22:32:00.002-06:00

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

2011-11-06T15:36:00.002-06:00

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

Try and Try Again Tuesday

2011-10-25T21:53:00.004-05:00

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

2011-10-14T15:28:00.001-05:00

Chores include catching flies

Fall

2011-10-03T21:25:00.002-05:00

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

2011-09-17T10:50:00.004-05:00

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

2011-09-14T16:37:00.001-05:00

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

2011-08-29T21:27:00.002-05:00

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!

2011-08-15T20:35:00.006-05:00

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

2011-08-06T12:37:00.000-05:00

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

Happy happy

2011-08-04T19:03:00.001-05:00

Happy birthday husband!

Oh Mondays

2011-08-01T12:26:00.002-05:00

This puppy is not ready for early Mondays.

Friday findings

2011-07-29T17:54:00.001-05:00

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

Eli knows best

2011-07-28T14:23:00.001-05:00

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

2011-07-25T08:07:00.001-05:00

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

2011-07-19T17:04:00.002-05:00

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

2011-07-11T11:06:00.001-05:00

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

2011-07-04T19:45:00.001-05:00

Happy 4th everyone!

Love, want, have

2011-06-28T17:16:00.001-05:00

* 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

2011-06-26T18:09:00.002-05:00

What would Dorsey's favorite toy be so far?

Basketball

Thoughts?

2011-06-22T15:39:00.001-05:00

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

Vacation

2011-06-21T15:28:00.001-05:00

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

Deals

2011-06-07T10:01:00.002-05:00

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

2011-06-03T15:01:00.004-05:00

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

Meet Dorsey

2011-06-02T20:49:00.007-05:00

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...

2011-05-27T08:55:00.003-05:00

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

2011-05-16T21:43:00.003-05:00

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

2011-05-11T10:54:00.000-05:00

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?

2011-05-04T22:04:00.003-05:00

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

2011-04-18T16:19:00.005-05:00

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

2011-04-13T16:19:00.002-05:00

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

2011-04-10T20:48:00.004-05:00

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

Wanted

2011-04-08T12:03:00.002-05:00

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

2011-04-06T17:59:00.007-05:00

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!

2011-04-02T12:54:00.004-05:00

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!

Spring

2011-03-15T14:34:00.004-05:00

I'm enjoying a great week to get rejuvenated for the rest of the school year. I am working on the curtains, working on the flower beds. If it will get a little warmer out I will be back in the hammock in the back yard looking at the blooms from the picture above. Now it's back to work on these curtains!

Thoughts with Pictures

2011-03-09T17:36:00.006-06:00

I've got a new idea for the curtains for the bedrooms. I want to add a little more color and I love the idea of these going from lots of color to white.

The problem is that the colors do not match the room at all. I want more jewel tones like these colors.

So I was looking here because Andrea said they were having a sale and saw a new idea. What if I found the colors I like and then make these fun looking spin things. I could put more on the bottom and add the color like the ones on the curtains above that I love. Hummm the possibilities. Thoughts?

Have a Lovely Day

2011-03-07T21:10:00.000-06:00

All I do is win, win, win

2011-03-04T23:33:00.003-06:00

After a long, long week I needed a win and I got two!! So everybody hands go up.......... and they stay there!!!

This post is dedicated to Jenny :)

weekend yet?

2011-03-03T22:47:00.002-06:00

Not so much time to tell you about all the wonderful moments in my life right now. 4th grade has taken over my life... for reals.

We did get the dining room light up! Yay! And also put up lights outside in the backyard and a motion light in front. Now we can enjoy beautiful weather outside and see what is going on our grill without holding a flashlight. :) Way to go husband.

I am ready to get to spring break and spend some time outside. I think my students are needed a break from me too. This was on Mr. Oh So Fun's hand today..."I hate people" and an arrow pointing to my name also on his hand. That was not so very nice. We need some time away. If I go to bed now it will be Friday sooner and then the weekend. That's the plan.

p.s. in other news... Yay for friends coming in town and getting together Saturday!!!

Blame It On the Moon?

2011-02-17T14:42:00.003-06:00

Two students got into an argument on the playground and I had them sit and cool off for a bit. After they cooled off and shook hands Mr. Thinks-a-lot said, "I think it had something to do with the full moon, but I'm not blaming anyone." I thought it was funny because these two are never in trouble so who knows. Is there a full moon?

Never Have I Ever

2011-02-08T22:30:00.003-06:00

I have never read the story of Ruth as a story of a great daughter-in-law. Have you?

I am in this class on Tuesday nights where we are talking about woman from the Bible and also learning things that a woman should know like organizing, cooking tips, decorating and so on. I am really enjoying it so far and tonight was no exception.

Tonight it was great to hear a passage that I have read before in such a new way. Ruth stayed right by her mother-in-law's side even when her husband was gone and her sister-in-law went too. I'm still thinking about all of this and really not sure what more to say without getting into a really long post, but I know I do want to re-read about Ruth with this new thought.

In other news, I got these today and it sure made for a nice morning. :)

decisions

2011-02-07T14:40:00.003-06:00

I'm off 4 hours earlier than I usually am on Mondays with my after school tutoring and all due to the weather. This leaves me with the decision to be productive or relax a min. I'll decide after I have this...

The award for the wrong answer of the week goes to.....

2011-02-04T16:56:00.003-06:00

Here is the question.

What does crime mean in this sentence. "The crime is on tape."

A. ballet performance

B. act of breaking the law

C. automobile accident

J. party in someone's honor

Mr. Distracted picked A.

Mrs. Thomas shakes her head and keeps on grading.

i want. i love. i have

2011-01-19T20:55:00.006-06:00

This post idea came from Andrea and today I thought I would join the fun.

I want: This bedroom furniture oh so much. I think it will look great with our bedding!

I love: Snapple. I don't get them that much, but I LOVED enjoying this treat today.

I have: These are for my class tomorrow to celebrate 100 days of school! Yay! They are in need of a little treat to remind them that I think they are grand.

Weekend

2011-01-15T17:20:00.001-06:00

Happy Long Weekend! Stay warm :)

Tears and Testing

2011-01-13T21:57:00.002-06:00

It is crunch time in 4th grade. TCAP is a mere 54 school days away and testing is ALL that I am hearing about in meeting after meeting after email blah blah blah. It is easy to get overwhelmed with all the pressure we have to "stay off the list" and "meet our goal" and mastering skills. Yuck.

Today I decided to pull a few students one-on-one instead of my usual 5 or six at a time. There were tears, and smiles and blank stares. It was a day full of mess. I am rambling on and I know that no one really cares about my test scores on here and the million trivial things that didn't go my way today. So, when I need a break from frustrations and students who flat our don't give a care I need music for my soul. Do I listen to classical? Soft Christian music? Nope on a day like today I need something that flat out tells me to get my mind on things that matter! Enjoy

In need of a field trip

2011-01-06T20:10:00.004-06:00

I believe students should go on field trips. I LOVE them and they are great to expose students to different experiences that they may not get to experience other ways.

I was sitting with a small group at my back table today and going over analogies. This one made me realize these kids missed the field trip to the farm at some point.

Yes, they thought that corn is grown on a cob and peas are grown... in a can? It was a fun discussion and in the end they did realize peas come in pods before they come in cans. :) Just another teachable moment in 4th grade.

Wonderful Wednesday

2011-01-05T20:16:00.004-06:00

I usually dread Wednesdays because of not having a break, graded papers due, and long faculty meetings. I always say things like "welcome to wonderful Wednesday" in my morning meetings and think it should say weary Wednesdays, but not today!! I really do have sweet students.

Now to watch the Tigers play! Go TIGERS!!

2010

2010-12-31T15:38:00.006-06:00

What a full year 2010 has been! Here are a few highlights.

Going to my new favorite beach on a cruise with my husband.

Moving into our first house.

We also loved meeting this little.

I can't post one picture without showing off the other four sweet ones. They loved Zoo Boo. :)

I feel so blessed and I know there were many more wonderful things this year, but I have got to show you my last project of the year! (The idea came from here where they are doing a giveaway)

Now I just need to get some curtains and new furniture to come in 2011.

***Happy New Year!***

Christmas Time is Near

2010-12-13T21:51:00.002-06:00

This is what I want to be doing...

** Baking cookies**

** Watching Christmas movies by a fire**

**Staying in my layers of pajamas, robe, hat and blankets all day**

**Sing Christmas Songs all day**

Instead I am doing laundry, cleaning out the fridge, and getting ready for work tomorrow. (I did sing songs to wake Alex up Sunday. After about 20 minutes we were almost late and I didn't realize I'd been singing so long and he was still pretending to be asleep.) I would say I wanted this week to hurry up and end so I could get to a few of those things, but time has been FLYING by and I can't believe this will be my second Christmas with my husband. I really just want time to slow down a bit so I can enjoy this season and all the blessing from this year.

Boys vs. Girls

2010-12-08T13:17:00.004-06:00

My class decided to adopt an "angel" this year. The angels are needy kids that our PTA gathers information and wish lists from around Christmas so they can have some gifts to unwrap. They are all given a code names. Our angel is Harvest. She is a little girl and just asked for a few things on on her little list.

I asked each student to bring $5 if they could or more. A whole week went by and I had a total of $6.00. Yep, only two people brought anything....... yikes. Then I got this idea from another teacher to make it a compitition between boys and girls. WOW the kids were pulling money out of desks and lockers! Boys- $20 Girls - $6.25 They boys were really into winning although I NEVER said there would be any kind of prize for the winner. :) Today the girls stepped it up and we were tied at $22.25. The change started coming out and people are saying they are bringing more money in tomorrow. Looks like Harvest will be getting the coat, shoes, underwear, pillow pet, and almost everything on her list!

December is Busy!!

2010-12-06T23:07:00.003-06:00

Alex said this was me. Enjoy and happy December!

Forecast

2010-11-30T16:17:00.004-06:00

I loved Thanksgiving and all the food, family, relaxing, and shopping!! I hope you did too. Today it was super cold out and Alex saw snow. :) Just a few more weeks of this..

Until Christmas!!! Yay!!

Thankful Thursday/ Friday

2010-11-19T17:50:00.003-06:00

Did you think I forgot? I didn't I just ran out of hours in the day yesterday. So, after a fun filled week I am so thankful for the weekend this week!!! Also, thankful that I will see this friend next week and be able to spend time with lots of family!

I. Love. Thanksgiving.

This is why I will wait to put my Christmas decorations until Friday because I like seeing my Fall decorations a little longer. :)

Thankful Thursday 2

2010-11-11T21:32:00.003-06:00

What a wonderful Thursday! Really, it was one of the best days of school with my 4th grade class. Amazing what having three out until 10:00 am will do and two out for the day. (Not because they are bad or anything but because 21 and 22 students are just easier to manage than 24) Then I had toutoring and I really love the small group setting.

Now on to "Thankful Thursday" Stuff!! I'm thankful for...

1. Sweet sweet family - I could go on and on here, but really I just love them all.

2. Student, sir hates to read, reading this week! Thank you book fair and a new book! What a difference a good book will do.

3. Sunday nap.

4. Songs - music can really lift my spirit when I need it most

5. Saving money - how nice to not have to run heat or air much around here with nice weather

6. Shoes- silly I know, but I am thankful for some comfortable ones on work days and the cute ones for fun!

Have a great Friday everyone!!!

Practical or Playful

2010-11-10T17:59:00.003-06:00

At my house we have been talking about and shopping for Christmas gifts. Yay! I love it because it feels almost like cheating on the "no Christmas before Thanksgiving" rule a little bit. My husband is the lead gift giver because he is really good at it and knows how to find things online. Sometimes I give him an idea and then he finds it for half the price I can find it and much faster too. Yes, I know he is amazing. :)

So, this whole shopping for gifts thing brings out the question of what to get all these people!? In thinking and brainstorming about a few people I realized a huge difference and Alex and my thinking on the matter. One of us tends to think of more practical gifts and the other thinks that the gifts should be fun or playful. Points if you know who is the practical and playful one. :) I really don't think there is a right or wrong answer on this one because I can see how they can both be good for different people or occasions. (Unless it's for a kid and then, in the words of my nephew... "Clothes are not Christmas gifts!")

What do you think? What kinds of gifts do you like to receive or give?

Thankful Thursday

2010-11-04T20:52:00.002-05:00

It's November!! I love love Thanksgiving and know we should be thankful all year, but why not really set some time aside this month to think about all the reasons I have to be thankful. You can join me this month and share some things of your own.

Here is this Thursday's Thankful Three

* Warm Coffee

* Warm blankets

* Winter covering for my car this year in the ice

What are you thankful for? Are you as ready to eat turkey and pie as I am?

Skates

2010-11-01T21:56:00.001-05:00

This commercial makes me smile and then I have this song in my head all night. I think Alex is tired of hearing me start to sing this song and then bust out laughing. I can't help myself. I had no idea what she was saying at first so now I at least know it has something about skates in there. :)

p.s. I'm excited that the Memphis Zoo will have ice skating this year!!!

I'll need a new pair of skates too.

Colin!!!

2010-10-18T20:32:00.006-05:00

My fifth nephew was born today!!!

Yes, fifth! I just love, love all those handsome boys. I did not want to put this tiny little one down!! So Happy to introduce you to Colin Matthew.

Look what I made

2010-10-13T19:39:00.003-05:00

Happy Fall Ya'll!!!!

2010-10-11T10:06:00.003-05:00

My Fall break is/was short and sweet but oh so welcome. We went to Blanchard springs and got to relax in a hammock, eat lots of s'mores, see the leaves changing, stare at the stars, explore beautiful caves, walk on the trails, sitting around the fire, and enjoying time with Alex and others. I have never been in a cave like the one we went into this weekend. I have no idea what to expect and really didn't know why we needed a tour to just walk in a cave. I was wrong. We had to take an elevator down to where it is and we walked in and I was just saying "wow" for a while. I also felt like I was in a Disney ride or something and was waiting for singing animals to appear. I didn't have my camera and pictures don't really do it justice, but here are some so you can get an idea from the web.

If you have a chance to go visit a cave I think you should go. So much this weekend just points to the handiwork of God. It is so wonderful to take time to get away from the rush of the day to day and the piles of laundry and enjoy creation. I should go every weekend. :)

Ok, just an hour and a half before it is back to work. I will be there until 7 for conferences and then I have my last planned evaluation tomorrow.

Once upon an October

2010-10-04T21:25:00.009-05:00

Once upon an October there lived a young princess who owned a beautiful studio piano.

[She is a princess because it's my story and because her brother named her the princess poky. I think it sounds much better than the poky little puppy and sometimes just the princess part works just fine.]

This old piano is beautiful because it was free and because it sounds like the one that she once played at her Granny's house. The piano was in desperate need of some love, tuning and a bench. That way the princess could sit and play the three songs she knows and scales until her heart's content. The hunt began and nothing was to be found in all the land that would be tall enough or grand enough for this great find. Also, when the piano is free it feels wrong to be looking at paying $$$ for the bench. I mean really.

One day this new piece of free furniture was discovered in the shed of misfit furniture of the Threlkeld house. A bench could be made from this with a little work!!

In true princess poky fashion, the soon to be bench was nothing but another dusty piece of furniture until the hunt for fabric led to this.

Yes!! That could work! So it was ordered and then still more waiting....for the mail.

Next step was to add some padding for the many hours of sitting and playing that would soon be coming. Then the padding was covered with the new fabric.

The last step was to add wheels so it could slide out is a hurry if you feel the need for a song. It is really heavy so this is better for the floors too.

It's all done and fit for a queen.. or princess. :) So they lived happily ever after.

Does anyone know how to tune a piano?

Fall!!!

2010-09-28T22:10:00.002-05:00

It is starting to feel like Fall!! I have lovely scarecrow writings hanging in my classroom and acorns and pumpkins in my house. I like fall and the change it brings.

It feels like the dust is settling a little bit in my classroom. Open house was tonight and I made it through. I also got a really sweet, encouraging note from a parent today. Do I have graded papers ready to go home tomorrow? NO. Is that something I'm going to stress about? Nope.

I also hear that the word on the hall is that I'm the mean 4th grade teacher. How does that happen so fast?!?! It was really just this girl who was in my friend's class last year and the little girl told her that I was the mean teacher. The girl could not support her argument with any evidence so I don't think the police/ child services will be called any time soon. :) Tomorrow I don't have a break so we are going to make an art project during the support class time. How is that for being a mean teacher?! :)

Have a happy Wednesday everyone!!!!!

Spinning through September

2010-09-21T22:17:00.002-05:00

September has been dumb. I have had no words to say that have been worth sharing. I was teaching third grade like crazy Friday and today I started teaching 4th grade. Yes, I had to move rooms. No, I was not allowed to come any time during the weekend. Yes, I did have students in my room Monday and today while I was trying to get things moved and together. I did have a sub but the poor lady had to keep calling me and every time I walked in the room to get something or move anything someone would cry or come over to me. Today I did not have a sub until almost 10:00 and then had 4th graders coming into my new room with their desks a few at a time at 12:30. They did not bring chairs...it was awesome. More kids crying...awesome. No planning time tomorrow...awesome. District walk through tomorrow... not caring what they say at this point.

* deep breath*

It is a new adventure. I can do this. Third grade is said to be way harder to teach than 4th and it is still a good team of teachers. God will not give me more than I can take. I didn't know I could take all of this. :) Oh, but my husband is sweet and went to the store and got things for a nice dinner tonight. Also, Glee is back and it is hard not to relax when you have people singing beautifully at you. I really like that show.

Tomorrow is a new day and will be my first full day as a forth grade teacher. Bring it.

The choice is yours

2010-09-13T19:15:00.003-05:00

Sometimes when I have too many little nagging things going on it can ruin my spirit and really get me stressed. I have to make the choice to focus on something positive. Here are some positives for this negative Monday.

* Baby shower was a big success this weekend (I hope pictures will come when I can)

* My husband is really sweet

* D. is not rolling down the hallways anymore

* S. only had 1 major melt down and one that I nipped before it got out of control

* A. did 2 subtraction problems without guessing or me telling her what to do

* I figured out that monster fingers work really well to help A.W. with his math

** I still like to teach**

Teaching Taking Over

2010-08-30T21:43:00.000-05:00

After I wrote that title it made me think of Pinky asking what they were going to do for the day ha! (I should have said Teaching is taking over, but it made me laugh so I kept it)

No, I'm not teaching how to take over the world, but teaching is taking mine! My principle told us we need to teach like our hair is on fire. This just about describes my week. Lots of hours after school, working through lunch and staying up late.

On a more positive note. A student who has been acting..... like a verbal 1 year old? Had a wonderful day!! Lets hope he keeps it up. Oh and I really do have a great class!!

Curtain shopping will just have to wait until Thanksgiving break :)

Curtains and Cash

2010-08-21T11:57:00.000-05:00

The day is almost here!! "What day" you ask? The day when I will be getting my pay checks regularly again!!! Hip hip hooray!

So I got to thinking...

It is about time to hang some curtains in the master bedroom. The blinds are fine but I need

some fabric hanging and Alex would like to block a little more light. But where to begin and what to pick? I'll show you what it looks like now and a few things I have come across so far.

before:

(I would also love a little chair or bench there and new bedroom furniture but that's another post)

I love that these are so romantic and girly, but they don't come in a color that would work for the room. Oh yeah and the price tag is a little much.

I saw this a while back and think it is a cool idea, but I just don't know if it fits with the rest of the room. I love how it looks on the dark walls.

Any ideas? Where do you like to shop or get inspired for window treatments?

Kindergarten

2010-08-12T21:00:00.000-05:00

My oldest nephew is not a baby any more.This little sweetheart had his first day of Kindergarten today and he said he had a good day.
He is just so grown up!!

Mouse Stories

2010-08-11T19:31:00.000-05:00

I love this book about the little mouse who just didn't know when to stop. One thing just leads to another and another. I have thought many many times about this little mouse when I start something and I know it will not stop with just the one thing.
A few weekends ago I got a phone call that led to one of these little "if you give a mouse a cookie" moments. It started with my granddaddy at the farmer's market selling figs. Well, if you sell figs at the market then you will want to buy things from the market. If you buy too many things from the market you will fill up your freezer. You may want to encourage your granddaughter to get her own freezer to hold MORE wonderful peas and corn from the market. She may end up with something like this. After you have a freezer like this you may feel like you need to put up a ton of wonderful peas, corn, beans, peppers, and whatever else you can find. Be careful because it may take more than a whole Saturday to do this. But in the end you will have a happy freezer with lots of great things for the winter!!
...then you may start thinking of looking at a Costco card :)

Back to School

2010-08-01T22:55:00.000-05:00

I start back tomorrow learning about all the new things for this year and I am excited! This is when I always have crazy dreams about not having a classroom the first day of school or other crazy things like this. One week until I meet my 2010-2011 class!!

less Words Wednesday

2010-07-28T21:23:00.000-05:00

Waffle Cone Wednesday was missed.....again

Yumm yumm

2010-07-25T22:20:00.000-05:00

This is for Jenny...

This recipe is oh so so yummy. I didn't get any pictures because I was a little busy with three nephews and a brother over to enjoy the meal. They all loved it! We will be making this again soon.
It's Rosemary Ranch Chicken Kabobs

Ingredients:

1/2 cup olive oil

1/2 cup ranch dressing

3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon white vinegar

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, or to

taste

1 tablespoon white sugar, or to taste

(optional)

5 skinless, boneless chicken breast

halves - cut into 1 inch cubes

Directions:

1.	In a medium bowl, stir together the olive oil, ranch dressing, Worcestershire sauce, rosemary, salt, lemon juice, white vinegar, pepper, and sugar. Let stand for 5 minutes. Place chicken in the bowl, and stir to coat with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
2.	Preheat the grill for medium-high heat. Thread chicken onto skewers and discard marinade.
3.	Lightly oil the grill grate. Grill skewers for 8 to 12 minutes, or until the chicken is no longer pink in the center, and the juices run clear.

I guess it's my thing

2010-07-23T10:34:00.000-05:00

I love my family! We were having a great time playing volleyball yesterday and my brother-in-law was standing next to me. I was talking and missed a ball that should have been mine. I told him I was sorry I was talking and his response was, "It's ok, it's your thing" HA I laughed all night about that. It was a really really nice way to say, 'Maria, you talk too much!' I love my family.

I love my husband! When I got home I was talking to my dog in-law (we are watching him this week) Alex said he was going to get me a dog for next summer so I have someone to talk to when I'm home alone. This was a nice way of saying, 'Maybe if you talked to a dog all day you would not talk my ear off when I get home from work.' I love my husband!

I love my job! I can hardly wait to get my classroom all setup. I had a hard time not going nuts the other day buying school supplies because they were all on sale! I'm meeting with some of my team today and I can't wait to see how our team will be able to work together this year when we are all in the building and the same hall. I will also soon be preparing to share what I learned in a week long class to the whole faculty. The group I went with nominated me to do most of the talking and to share all the little songs we learned. "You have a nice speaking voice" or translation, 'You already talk so much you may as well be the one talking so we don't have too.' I love my job. ;)

Have a Fun Friday Everyone!!!

Wishful Thinking

2010-07-20T12:23:00.000-05:00

I wish I was going to be sitting looking at this view sometime soon. It's not on the calendar yet but I'll go someday. I also wish I could go set up my classroom. Oh well, I will just keep working here. Today's task is finish the trim paint in Alex's room and make dinner.

What's up Wednesday

2010-07-14T22:47:00.000-05:00

I get to teach third grade again!!!!!!!!! Could not be happier about this if I tried. :)

I am taking an interesting class this week and I think it is a workshop I may use for once.

I realized today I have one more week than I thought before I start school. Yay for extending the summer!

I wish I could change the light fixtures for the bathroom but I don't want to get shocked so I will wait for someone who knows what they are doing.
I found the perfect vase to finish up our bathroom. (Well, once the lights get put in) :)

I love my sisters and miss the little one this week while she is in Ukraine.

Thursday Five

2010-07-08T21:46:00.000-05:00

Sarah had this cute post from MannLand5 so I thought I would copy it too.

The post is five things that make me...

Happy

Giddy

Joyful

Excited

Appreciative

Having my super cute nephews over to play makes me oh so happy!
Alex getting me a 42 oz. bag of peanut M&M's kind of makes me giddy. (Or maybe that is all the sugar)
Reading Psalm 121 makes me joyful no matter what else is going on with my life.
Thinking about a whole new group of third graders and a new white board makes me really excited. :)
I am so appreciative of my home and my husband.

If you want to join you can see how here or here.

Guest Bedroom

2010-07-01T13:35:00.000-05:00

One of my nephews was over Monday and Tuesday of this week and was the first to take a nap in the guest bedroom. Because it was actually being used I thought it was time to hang the pictures that were leaning on the walls. This is the room where our bedroom furniture will go when/ if we get new stuff for us. I have not really liked this room all that much until today. Why? Because it looked like this when we got the house. The wall paper was in pieces and took some work to get off. After that the paint color was not right and then we had this old broken futon frame and that was about it for the room. *sigh*

Well we got a new futon frame and the wall color ended up matching the futon cover we already had. Today I put the pictures on the wall and I like how it turned out after all! Here are a few after pictures. Enjoy!

Try it Tuesday

2010-06-22T20:46:00.000-05:00

When I'm at home I feel like I need to have something wonderful for dinner and not just a drive through meal. Also, moving things into the house reminded me of some wonderful wedding gifts I have not had a chance to use. This is how we ended up trying something new tonight. The recipe is from the Pioneer Woman.
We have one of these and it made the frying really easy and it didn't get all over the kitchen.
I think they turned out great for the first time! Don't they look yum?Oh we also had some fresh from the garden green beans so it was not all unhealthy. :)

Do you have any yummy recipes you enjoy making in the summer? I would love to try them! It may end up on another try is Tuesday.

Longest day

2010-06-21T17:15:00.001-05:00

Today is the longest day of the year and the official start of summer!

Happy Summer Solstice everyone!

New Beach Sport

2010-06-14T16:40:00.000-05:00

We made it to the beach!!! We had a nice long drive and got to stop at the Georgia Aquarium on the way. Maybe more on that later because it was really cool.

Today we began a new sport on the beach. We don't have the waves of Florida to play in so when the tide goes down in the afternoon we were ready to play! The tide leaves a nice muddy platform that is perfect for the boogie board to slide over. One person gets on and the other pulls you while sloshing mud on your face until they stop running and let you fly! So fun! Unless you are being pushed instead of being pulled and then it ends with a nose dive into the mud and a really dirty swimsuit. Here take a look.....
This is Jenny on the runway
Where Alex is standing is where he stops running and you can see how far you fly across the mud when it is done rightThis is the wrong way to start
because you will end up like this

Preschool

2010-06-09T20:43:00.000-05:00

The class I am helping with at V.B.S. is a preschool class and I am the one who gets to tell them the Bible story. I only plan for about 10 mins. because I know their attention span can only last for so long. I am shocked by how well they listen! Today it was about God's Word being surprising and they were so cute listening for me to say "but then..." and they got to shout "surprise!" It was fun fun and who knows what they will remember tomorrow but it is fun to teach something to 30 little excited listeners. Yeah I said 30... they love us what can I say.

This picture is because I like the posts with the pictures and not really because it goes with the post at all. It was on my computer and yes I like to ride on top instead of in the car. I still feel this size.

Evening at Home

2010-06-08T20:35:00.000-05:00

Alex and I enjoy a nice evening at home like tonight. These are a few of my favorite things.

Yumm brinner of chocolate chip waffles and whatever else we have.
A show I enjoy watching
A man I enjoy just being around the house with :) (oh and he lets me watch Glee too)

ARGH!

2010-06-07T16:56:00.000-05:00

Today I wore a captain's hat, jumped around, counted to 24 about 30 times, sang songs, told a Bible story, answered lots of cute questions about the story, ate cookies, and really enjoyed V.B.S.!
I am helping in a Pre-school room and it is lots of fun! It is fun to be with the really young ones after being with the old 3rd graders during the year. They are excited about everything! My mom was struggling to get this cardboard type pirate hat on with this patch today and one boy was so helpful when she got it right. "OK, you got it so don't touch it!" It loos like a fun week and then I'll be off to the beach! Yay!
In other news.... these two got married this weekend!

Doesn't Alex look so great all dressed up!

Home sweet home

2010-06-01T13:39:00.000-05:00

The party was fun fun! Lots of family, friends, and food. I also got some great things for me and the house. One fun thing was some friendship bread dough. I baked it today and boy does it smell good!!!! I am going to try and wait for Alex to try it but we will see how long that lasts. Here is what it looks like.

I'm back!!

2010-05-29T16:24:00.000-05:00

We have the internet again! This time it's at the new house!!!! YAY! Now I am off to get some food for the party Monday to celebrate! If you would like to come by you are all welcome to stop and see the house. I will be posting pictures later. :)

Oh, it's also my birthday coming up :)

Happy weekend everyone!!!!

Almost

2010-05-19T23:02:00.000-05:00

Almost too tired to blog
Almost ready to move in the house
Almost finished with another year of school
Almost ready to cut my hair myself because it is so needed
Almost summer
Almost my birthday
Almost bought a vase today for over the fireplace

Family

2010-05-13T22:50:00.000-05:00

Here are some pictures we had done for Mom Thomas for Mother's day. I really do have a great family in-law to add to my big family. :)

Enjoy!

http://www.cjslideshows.com/blog/?p=2572

p.s. I'm the one with dark hair. :)

whistle while you work

2010-05-12T12:02:00.000-05:00

Just a few days of work with students until summer break!! They are all about as ready as I am for a break. It is about this time or year where I am so ready to see them go but get sad when I think about them not coming back to me. :( I do love those little stinkers.

There has also been a lot of work done on our house these past weeks. I tried to take a few before shots and will be so pleased to post after shots when it gets done. Almost all of the rooms have been painted and we are almost ready to move more in!! (We have already been taking kitchen things over and the couch is in too) Well, I hope you are all enjoying the last few weeks of May!!

Giveaway!

2010-05-09T22:33:00.000-05:00

If you would like free you need to get signed up for a give away from The Personalized Peacock! Go here for details and rules. You should also just go look at the website because you may have a baby shower to go to this summer and what a cute place to get a sweet gift! They have some cute, cute things so enjoy!

Oops!

2010-05-09T22:22:00.000-05:00

I had NO idea that all your sweet comments were waiting for me to approve for them to be posted!! SO SO sorry!!!! Keep posting comments and now I know where to read them. :)

I'm loved!

2010-05-02T21:52:00.001-05:00

Thank you Annie for the "I love your blog" award! Annie and I have known each other for... I don't know but it has been a long time. We have roomed together, played banjo and mandolin together, sang together, and oh so much more. She has a wonderful spirit and her blog is from the heart. Check it out!

So in response to the award I'll share some things I love.

1. I love Alex, tons. :)

2. I love how when I need encouragement or a slap in the face God's Word has it for me. It has everything you will need for every season of life.

3. I love my family and how it has grown adding those that came with Alex. They are all unique with their talents and gifts and all so fun to be around.

4. I love having such sweet friends! It is funny how your friends change a little as you grow but they are all so great!

5. I love to sing! I have not been doing enough of this lately.

6. My new house!!! I can't wait until I get to sleep there! (We are still painting and getting things all set up for now)

7. Teaching. Yes, I know that I do not love all of the things that come with it all the time, but I really do love hearing things like my sweet students excited about learning. We left the computer lab Wednesday and I heard one girl say to her friend, "That was so fun! I was just clicking and learning, and clicking and learning!" It was worth taking a little more time that day to have a lesson they could use on the computers.

8. Lady bugs. I think they are cute and I think I am going to put some prints from this book on the walls in my kitchen.

9. Summer!! teaching was on this list but I also really love not teaching in the summer!! 15 teaching days to go!

10. Cookies. Best dessert ever.

Yeah I know these are not all the same level of love but here they are! Have a great week everyone!

Today is the day! You're on your way!

2010-04-27T09:24:00.000-05:00

Oh the places we'll go and have been together. Alex and I are jumping into a new adventure together today with our first home. Yep, today is the day we sign the papers and get the keys!! I walked through the house yesterday and it was so great to look at our kitchen and our new bedroom and our backyard! I am so so excited to be on this journey with Alex. If you know me you know that I am not the best at making decisions and this new journey is FULL of them, but with Alex it does not seem like a chore but a great adventure. I am so blessed to be going where I'm going with him by my side. He is a keeper! ;)

(Title inspired by Dr. Seuss)

5 Things Friday

2010-04-23T17:23:00.000-05:00

1. I love my husband
2. I have some great friends
3. I enjoy brinner aka breakfast for dinner. Waffles... mmmm
4. I think teaching is a challenge, but I like a good challenge most days. We will get that division!
5. Weekends are Wonderful!

Progress

2010-04-22T14:18:00.000-05:00

Teacher Maria- "J..."

J.... - "I wasn't talking! Ok, that's a lie."

He continued to talk but at least I know he knows he is doing it now. Baby steps.

Is it June yet?