And I'm Off!

To Chicago!!! My home sweet home! To say I'm excited is an understatement. 

I can't wait for the cold and snow!

(Yes those are cars covered in snow. Winter 2011?)

(That same day when I opened my front door! Snowed in??)

I can't wait to spend tons of time with my family!

I can't wait to spend time with The Boy!

I can't wait to go out with my friends!

And I can't wait to cuddle, kiss, snuggle and play with my fur babies!!

 

If I'm MIA for awhile, no need to worry I'll be back with tons of pictures!! 

As I head to the Nashville Airport in a few minutes, I'm hoping the big snow storm waits to hit Chicago until I land! Thank to my sister for picking me up!! :) 

Five for 5---Week 10!

Holy cow! Ten weeks of linking up just to post my weekly goals. Next week, I want to go back and see how many goals (out of 50) I've actually completed. 

Link up with Jessica and Jenn at the start of the work week to set five goals that you want to accomplish in the next five days!! 

Green= Things I accomplished

Red= The ones I didn't do- opps!

ORANGE= are the things I half did...yes, I made this color up because it was needed with some of my goals! 

Last week's goal:

1. Maintain my food journal

2. If I have a tough day at school, make sure when I get home I leave it all behind me.

3. ABSOLUTELY NO texting/tweeting while driving!! I'm only putting it in orange because I really think I did not text/tweet once...but I'm not 100% certain, so it's in orange.

4. Not purchase ONE thing this week. I bought my Starbucks instant VIA packs awhile back- so I'm set to go! :) (I bought milk, eggs, and gas-darn it!)

5. Send out 3 more cards with pictures of my class! (Yes! I love sending out cards!)

5 1/2. Comment on more blogs (especially one's that I love and never comment!)

New goals for this week: 

1. NO texting/tweeting/ on the phone while driving. I did pretty well this past week, but now it needs to be out of habit that I cannot be on my phone.

2. No purchasing anything until I leave Friday. (I say Friday because, let's be serious, I cannot go into an airport and NOT buy a magazine or Starbucks!)

3. Finish and put up my post about cameras! (I need your help!)

4. Find an ugly sweater AND New Years Eve dress without spending $$$

5. Hug ALL of my students tighter everyday this week! 

**And remind myself, even when they cause me splitting headaches, they are just babies with a life full of possibilities. I need to CHERISH the laughter AND craziness that occurs on a daily basis in my classroom because we are never promised tomorrow.

Please keep the Sandy Cook school and families in your prayers this week. I am wearing green and white today, along with the rest of my colleagues, in honor of those 26 innocent children and heroic administrators/teachers at Sandy Cook Elementary School.

Remembering...

Brief Reflection

I just wanted to take a moment and say that my deepest thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected by the Newton school shooting today. It rips my heart apart to know that innocent children and honorable teachers had their lives taken today from a monster.

Being a teacher (at an elementary school) this hits home with me. I cannot even fathom this horrific event right. I was a hot mess all afternoon with constant tears in my eyes.

 I looked at ALL 16 of my kids this afternoon in a new light. I gave every single one a tighter hug as they left today. 

Please keep everyone in your prayers today and hug your kids (and/ or students) a little tighter today.... I know I did!

Love my class!!

5 for Five- Week 9

I'm linking up, once again, with Jessica and Jenn for 5 for Five this week! Join in on the fun! Wow- It has already been 9 weeks of this fun blog hop!

Link up with us at the start of the work week to set five goals that you want to accomplish in the next five days!! 

Green= Things I accomplished

Red= The ones I didn't do- opps!

ORANGE= are the things I half did...yes, I made this color up because it was needed with some of my goals! 

Last week's goal:

1. START my food journal. Darn stomach issues. I WILL accomplish this one this week! I have even got a pretty little notebook to get me motivated to start this (how sad is that).

2. Meal plan for the next 2 weeks. This includes finding recipes and going grocery shopping! Pay Day is this week! Hells yes!! (I meal planed the next 2 weeks. Never ended up needing to go to the store---except for milk and bread)

3. Absolutely NO texting/tweeting/on the phone while driving. (I did A LOT better, but not 100% no on-the-phone)

4. Send out some gifts. I am so happy it's Christmas season. I LOVE giving gifts, more than receiving them...call me weird, but it's true! And even sent out 7 different Christmas cards! I love Christmas!! 

5. Bake some new cookies for the faculty and staff at my school. Anyone have some good favorites? I would love some recommendations! I baked some new cookies, but I put them in the freezer until closer to Christmas.

New goals for this week: 

1. Maintain my food journal

2. If I have a tough day at school, make sure when I get home I leave it all behind me.

3. (This one was from last week and I still want to accomplish this one) ABSOLUTELY NO texting/tweeting while driving!!

4. Not purchase ONE thing this week. I bought my Starbucks instant VIA packs awhile back- so I'm set to go! :)

5. Send out 3 more cards with pictures of my class!

5 1/2. Comment on more blogs (especially one's that I love and never comment!) :)

13 more nights until I'm home for Christmas. Cannot wait! I hope everyone has a great Monday! 

I look forward to reading everyone's goals as we get closer to the Holidays.

Congrats Meghan! The winner of my first ever giveaway! Your box should be arriving soon!!!

Today just sucks

I'm sorry to be a little vulgar tonight, but man I needed to get that off my chest.

First off, I want to say that I LOVE, LOVE, LOOOVVVEEE my job. I really do and my kids are awesome.

But, today something must have been in the air because they were NOT being good. Like not even a little bit. Half my class was on yellow, orange or red (we use the color system) and they were just being plain rude to each other. UGH! No joke, by the end of the day I had a splitting head ache. I never go home right after school, but today I was leaving by 4 pm!

Source: teachhub.com via Sandi on Pinterest

I'm also cranky because I just want to be home already. I miss it a lot a lot!!

On a brighter note, I got the a-ok to move out from my apartment and break my lease!! Although that wasn't ideal to break my lease, it was WAY more expensive than I originally thought. And I'm even more excited because Mrs. D graciously offered for me to move into her house!! I cannot wait!!!

Source: repinly.com via Kristen on Pinterest

At last; someone will be around, I will not eat breakfast and dinner alone, I will be closer to school and have dogs around again! If you remembered Mrs. D is the one I've dog sat for before and I'm in love with them!! I can't thank her enough for this!

Thank goodness tomorrow is Friday!!! :)

Oh, How Pinteresting

First and foremost, CONGRATS to Meghan for winning my first giveaway! Your winnings are on your way!

I've been pinning like crazy lately. So, I apologize for Pinning overload. :) Here we go...

Source: crockingirls.com via Kristen on Pinterest

Source: tidymom.net via Kristen on Pinterest

Source: dormtrends.tumblr.com via Kristen on Pinterest

Source: coolmomtech.com via Kristen on Pinterest

Source: cookingclassy.blogspot.com via Kristen on Pinterest

Source: teachingheart.net via Kristen on Pinterest

Source: playcreateexplore.com via Roni on Pinterest

I know...a bit random. I hope everyone has a great Wednesday. TGIAF (Thank goodness it's almost Friday!)

5 for Five- Week 8!!

I'm linking up, once again, with Jessica and Jenn for 5 for Five this week! Join in on the fun! Wow- It has already been 8 weeks of this fun blog hop!

Link up with us at the start of the work week to set five goals that you want to accomplish in the next five days!! 

Green= Things I accomplished

Red= The ones I didn't do- opps!

ORANGE= are the things I half did...yes, I made this color up because it was needed with some of my goals! 

Last week's goal:

1. Start and KEEP a food journal. No excuses- just have been too busy? I figured I'd wait until after Thanksgiving anyways :)

2. Continue my book I started. For those wondering it's Nicholas Sparks, A Bend in the Road (So good so far---only on chapter 4 though) (haven't even opened it :/ )

3. Meal plan the next 2 weeks (I'll do this tonight)

4. No texting/checking e-mails/tweeting while driving! (I know, I know, it's a horrible habit---but it makes the 30 minute drive home more bearable. Just NOT worth it! I need to stop!)

5. Start thinking about christmas presents, or at least make a list of people I need to get gifts for. 

Wow! I really stunk it up this past week. Well, considering how my week went last week, it's amazing I actually got some things done! HA!

New goals for this week: 

They will sound familiar because honestly, I am very upset at myself for only completing ONE goal! Not good Kristen, NOT GOOD!

1. START my food journal. Darn stomach issues. I WILL accomplish this one this week! I have even got a pretty little notebook to get me motivated to start this (how sad is that).

2. Meal plan for the next 2 weeks. This includes finding recipes and going grocery shopping! Pay Day is this week! Hells yes!!

Hey, it's a start!

3. Absolutely NO texting/tweeting/on the phone while driving.

4. Send out some gifts. I am so happy it's Christmas season. I LOVE giving gifts, more than receiving them...call me weird, but it's true!

5. Bake some new cookies for the faculty and staff at my school. Anyone have some good favorites? I would love some recommendations! 

Anyways, 18 more nights until I'm home for Christmas. Cannot wait! I'm really missing this boy lately...

I hope everyone has a great Monday. My favorite things giveaway ended last night. Winner will be announced soon! :)

TGIS

Thank goodness it's Saturday! It has been one heck of a week.

Our Elf on the shelf came into our classrooms this week and he was working wonders at the beginning of the week....come Friday I had to remind my kids he is still watching everyone.

I've had a trying week in the classroom. It brings me to tears to my eyes tothink about my kids not having the kind of Christmas I had growing up. Most of my kids won't experience the Christmas magic. Another little girl, who seriously has my heart, is struggling academically...like BIG time. I had a meeting with some other teachers and adminstrators about her academic performance and what I can do to help her. She is one of my disadvantaged kids (without going into too much details) and her mom is in and out of her life. She is attached to me not only emotionally, but physically; she always needs to be close to me. It just BREAKS my heart! Anyways, I left that meeting wanting to just take her home with me and show her a life she deserves. I am her only hope. Anyways.... more updates to come about our Elf who we named, Jingle. 

Wednesday, I tried my chance at the big LOTTO. No luck. But, even if I did win, I would't tell anyone. :)

Last night, I watched 20/20 and had some much needed wine. 

I was so excited when I woke up this morning because it's finally DECEMBER!!! It definitely didn't feel like it though because it was 70 degrees out!! I love winter and everything about it. My pale skin doesn't care too much for the heat or sun, even though I do, so winter is our preference. I also got excited because I participated in a wonderful advent calendar swap and Jenn is my partner. I got to open my first day today. I'll do a post on that later in December to let y'all know what I got. 

I also need to figure out what to get for The Boy, my mom, dad, sister and coworkers at school? Suggestions please?

Last call for my favorite things giveaway. It's ending tomorrow night!

Tomorrow's todo list:

Mail out a few things

Put together my christmas lists for the people I'm buying for. 

Make stockings for my kids for my classrooms 12 days of christmas (post to come)

Bake something? I love baking!! Any ideas or suggestions? 

Hope everyone is having a great relaxing Saturday!

5 for Five- Week 7

I'm linking up, once again, with Jessica and Jenn for 5 for Five this week! Join in on the fun! Wow- It has already been 7 weeks of this fun blog hop!

Link up with us at the start of the work week to set five goals that you want to accomplish in the next five days!! 

Green= Things I accomplished

Red= The ones I didn't do- opps!

ORANGE= are the things I half did...yes, I made this color up because it was needed with some of my goals! 

Last week's goal:

1. Keep a food journal 

2. Post my favorite things giveaway    Click here to enter!! 6 more days! 

3. Spend quality time with my family, friends and The Boy, without thinking about school work or lesson plans.

4. Continue reading my book I started. 

5. Meal plan my next 2 weeks, after I come back from Thanksgiving.

New goals for this week:

1. Start and KEEP a food journal. No excuses- just have been too busy? I figured I'd wait until after Thanksgiving anyways :)

2. Continue my book I started. For those wondering it's Nicholas Sparks, A Bend in the Road (So good so far---only on chapter 4 though)

3. Meal plan the next 2 weeks (I'll do this tonight)

4. No texting/checking e-mails/tweeting while driving! (I know, I know, it's a horrible habit---but it makes the 30 minute drive home more bearable. Just NOT worth it! I need to stop!)

5. Start thinking about christmas presents, or at least make a list of people I need to get gifts for. 

GO CHECK OUT MY FAVORITE THINGS GIVEAWAY! Not many people have entered so your chances are good! :)

Sunday Social- 4's edition

Love Sunday's, but having a hard time getting ready for tomorrow's school day. Anyway, here goes all my 4's.

1. Name 4 jobs you’ve had in your life: Nanny, waitress, retail and my favorite job yet, TEACHING!

2. Name 4 movies you would watch over and over: The Holiday, The Goonies, Double Jeopardy and Grease. (I know they are all over the place and random, but I'm a random person- lol)

3. Name 4 places you have lived: Suburbs of Chicago (21+ years), the city of Chicago (Lincoln Park) during college, Macomb, IL (while I was at WIU) and now a northern city in Tennessee.

4. Name 4 of your favorite foods: mac & cheese, pizza, portillo's chopped salad, and then banana with peanut butter

5. Name 4 things you always carry with you: iPhone, chapstick, wallet, gum

6. Name 4 places you have been on vacation: Hawaii, Cancun, Ocean Isle Beach, NC and Naples/Ft. Myers, FL.

That was fun! Now onto seeing how well I did with my goals for this past week-I'm scared. Stay turned tomorrow for the weekly 5 for Five post with Jessica and Jen. Also, don't forget to stop on by for my Favorite Things Giveaway! It's my first ever giveaway, so I'm super excited about it!! 

Well, I should get to looking at my lesson plans for this week. Hope everyone has a great week! 

My Black Friday Giveaway

I thought it was only appropriate to start my giveaway on black Friday. I did not go at all hours of the night, but I will go this afternoon. Did anyone else go this morning and score great deals?

On to my first ever giveaway...

MY FAVORITE THINGS GIVEAWAY!

I loved shopping for this, but it was so hard to not open and use all of these things myself! Good Luck! The giveaway will close December 3rd! Just in time for Christmas!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My favorite things explanations: (it never hurts, right?)

Starbucks Peppermint Mocha Via packs...enough said :)

WEEDS is my absolute favorite show. I'm sad it's ending, but it was a great show.

Panera is my favorite 'fast food' restaurant. 

Christmas pencils and erasers because I love sharing the holiday cheer with my students and they love these pencils.

A halloween candle because I love halloween, fall and everything about it!

EOS chapstick is THE best type of chapstick and I added 2 more chapsticks because I'm not sure about anyone else, but my lips are always chapped in the winter time. I have one in an arms reach at all times!

Peppermint M&M's make my day better, no matter what! :)

And last but not least, Essie nail polish. I loved this color. It was so hard to not open it and try it on myself first. So, I just went and bought the same one for me! LOVE IT!

I hope everyone had an amazing Thanksgiving. I know I did! Loved spending time with family and great friends. 

           

5 for Five- Week 6

I'm linking up, once again, with Jessica and Jenn for 5 for Five this week! Join in on the fun!

Link up with us at the start of the work week to set five goals that you want to accomplish in the next five days!! 

Green= Things I accomplished

Red= The ones I didn't do- opps!

ORANGE= are the things I half did...yes, I made this color up because it was needed with some of my goals! 

Last week's goal:

1. Book my flight home for Christmas. IF I don't do this now, it'll get more expensive! Wah!

2. Finish taking pictures and getting the post written for my giveaway.

3. Go in and talk to my leasing office about this apartment.

4. Keep a food journal. No, I'm not going on (or been on) a diet, but I have the most unbearable stomach pains. I WILL get to the bottom of this. If you want to read what I've already tried and my journey through frustrations, read it here.

5. Go send letters and advent calendar by going to the UPS store. (You might laugh, but I've had 6 letters addressed and all, sitting on my desk for 4 weeks and so I need to do this!)

Yay!! I thought I wouldn't do so hot considering I didn't look at my goals until last night. Go ME! :) 

Explanations: 

-I have all but ONE thing for my giveaway. I will get it today and take pictures and THEN put it up!

-I totally forgot about my food journal and need to do it ASAP!

New goals for this week:

1. Keep a foor journal (this will be interesting considering Thanksgiving is this week-but my stomach is STILL killing me!)

2. Post my favorite things giveaway

3. Spend quality time with my family, friends and The Boy, without thinking about school work or lesson plans.

4. Continue reading my book I started. 

5. Meal plan my next 2 weeks, after I come back from Thanksgiving.

Also, I had some people ask how my carmel apple cider turned out....AHHH-MAZING!! It even taste good reheated in the microwave! 

I hope everyone has a fantastic Monday. This girl couldn't be happier that it's only a 2 day work week!!! (Insert extremely happy face here!!)

Sunday Social-Thankful edition!

Today, I am linking up for the first time with the girls behind A Complete Waste of Makeup (Neely) and Ashley's Carnival Ride (Ashley). I always see and read so many Sunday Socials that today was only appropriate to join in the fun the week before Thanksgiving!

Today's link up is all about Giving Thanks. (Warning: PICTURE OVERLOAD!) 

Today, I am thankful for:

My family. For supporting any and all decisions I have ever made in my short little life so far. For example, being behind me and my big decision to move out of state for a job.

The Boy. For being there for me and truly being my best friend. He treats me with respect, makes me laugh and loves me for who I am. I couldn't ask for a better boyfriend!

My best friends. Who are there for me even if I'm 600 miles away. They are the ones I call when I'm bored on a Saturday night while I watch 48 Hours. And 9 outta 10 times they are doing the same thing! :) I wish they were down here though to get frozen yogurt with me or go out and have wine on a Saturday night. 

 
 

My friends at work. I'm thankful that I have coworkers who have turned into good friends. They keep me sane. I'm not going to lie... I have had some ROUGH days at work. More than I care to admit, but just talking with them makes my day better. And sometimes those Friday night 'meetings' at a local restaurant are even more NEEDED!!

My job. In this economy, I am definitely grateful that I actually HAVE a job. As we all know, teachers don't make that much money, but I'm paying my student loans, paying my rent and still managing to feed myself. (Insert poor joke here) lol. And most days my kids are pretty awesome as well! :)

My doggies that I miss so dearly! Living without a dog has been lonely and boring. I miss walking in the door to Tio or Bronx jumping on me with wagging tails. Dogs make everything better and cannot wait to get back to them.

 

This blog. The place where I can say whatever I want, whenever I want and no body can stop me! :) I just got all my favorite giveaway stuff bought and now I'm trying to take pretty pictures of them. I promise to have it up before Thanksgiving!! Please be patient as this is my first giveaway! 

Life. At the end of the day, I can go to sleep knowing I am loved, blessed and lucky to have the life I have. Even if I had a bad day, tomorrow can be better (and it usually is).

I am also thankful for Thanksgiving because it brings all my (and The Boy's) family together. It might be my favorite Holiday. I'm still debating because no matter what holiday is around the corner, that turns out to be my favorite! 

Well, this Sunday has been super productive! Deep cleaned the apartment, did laundry, cooked dinner, ran some errands and started to pack for home! Hope everyone has an amazing Sunday.