5 for Five!!!

Oh Monday, how you always come back around so fast. It's nice to see you again, but Friday and I are much better friends. 

5 for Five once again with Jenn and Jessica.

I already know I didn't do the best this week because I couldn't even remember my goals...how sad!

Last Week's Goals:

1. Find and start a new book. (But I did get some good recommendations. Gone Girl looks like the winner)

2. Organize my closet by work clothes, weekend clothes and sit around/workout clothes. It's driving me nuts! (No excuse---just did not happen) 

3. Keep working out. GO ME!

4. Read more blogs this week (I feel so behind), comment on my favs bloggers to let them know I'm still alive (lol) and write more posts! Did it and LOVED catching up with them!

5.  Relax and get through the week with no BIG stressors. It's DIBELS EOY testing, so I'm a bit scared. I know my kids will do just fine, it's me I'm worried about. (I tried to not let it stress me out, but it did. Oh well, it's a new week now)

This Week's Goals:

1. Start the book I chose.

2. Organize my closet.

3. Finish my new resume and cover letter (story to come soon!)

4. Send out some snail mail. I love sending mail! :)

5. Work out 4 days a week. (I needed to be more specific this week)

I have 2 posts lined up this week (now that I just realized I could schedule posts...hmmm DUH Kristen, where have you been these past 2 years!) and I'm pretty excited about them. I hope everyone has a great week!

Missing my boys back home a lot!! :(

I'm an Influenster: UPDATE!

And I'm enjoying every minute of it.

Let me back up. I joined about 2 months ago and was totally overwhelmed and confused. I wasn't sure what to do, so I just started clicking away (taking these surveys and reviews) and before I knew it, I got an e-mail saying I qualified for a VoxBox. I wasn't sure what that meant, but I knew it had to be good.

Fast forward to about 2 weeks ago. My parents were visiting and I told my mom about the site. While they were here, I received another e-mail telling me my VoxBox was on it's way. Now, let me remind you...I wasn't sure what it was and I NEVER gave them my NEW address. I was a bit confused as to how the wonderful mystery box was going to show up on my doorstep and to be honest, I didn't think it was.

Well, low and behold, it did... yesterday!! In a nice white box with a pink heart on it. Mrs. D asked if I was expecting a package and I told her no, but I'll accept it anyways. I looked and it said Influenster. I was totally stoked and excited to open my first ever VoxBox. (This was extra exciting because I have never won anything in my life, so this to me was like winning!)

Now onto what I signed up to do...review!

I received 5 products in this box: 

• Olay Fresh Effects- Powered Contour Cleaning System
• Olay Fresh Effects- Shine Minimizing Cleanser 
• Secret Clinical Strength Stress Response Antiperspirant
• Skinny Girl Daily On-The-Go Bars
• Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray

I have only tested 4 out of the 5 products so far, so keep a look out for the last review to come this week.

Product #1 & 2: Olay Fresh Effects Cleansing Brush and Cleanser.

Overall Grade: A
Comments: I loved the vibrating brush. It's so small that it doesn't take up space in my shower and I can bring it with me when I travel. The cleanser smells delicious. I didn't notice a difference in the shine department with my face. It's either because my makeup primer and veil do a pretty good job covering it up or the cleanser did it's job.

Product #3: Secret Clinical Strength Stress Response
Overall Grade: B UPDATE: A!!
Comments: The only reason I'm giving this a B is because I can't tell whether it worked because I didn't do much today or I didn't experience any stress today. I will wear it the rest of the week and I'm sure to be stressed at work, so I'll keep you posted. BUT, it is by far the best smelling antiperspirant I've ever had!! UPDATE: I haven't used another antiperspirant yet. I love that I put it on at night right after my shower and it works the whole next day! And it still smells so good!! :)

Product #4: Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray

I put my hair half up to try to style it, but nothing worked.

Overall Grade: D
I tried this spray this morning after a shower. I let my hair air dry for like 10 minutes before I sprayed it in...I even followed the directions on the back about styling your hair with your fingers after you've sprayed it in. But, later in the day I asked Mrs. D if it was just me, or did my hair look greasy and she agreed, it just did NOT look clean. I smells nice, which the only reason I didn't give it an F. I'll maybe try spraying it in completely wet hair or completely dry hair to see if it makes a different, so we'll see. Did anyone else experience this issue?

Product #5: Skinny Girl On-The-Go Bar
Review coming soon. (I'm eating it tomorrow for a snack before lunch!)

Funny story. Last night, I called my parents to let them know that it's not a hoax and I received my VoxBox and my Dad asked if men can join it because it sounded like fun!! So now, Mr. K is on Influenster! GO DAD!

"I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes."  -Thank you Influenster!!

5 for Five-I'm Back...again

Since I had the day off because of the LOVELY Mr. Presidents, I thought I should catch up on my online life, blogging!! I'm linking up with the lovely Jenn and Jessica for 5 for Five linkup! Here we go...

These are the last goals I wrote, but never shared my progress. I apologize, these are from weeks ago!

Passed Goals:

1. Get more than ¾ of the way through with my book. (Just finished this one recently! Post soon!)

2. Continue to finish my food at home. (I did pretty good with this too before I moved.)

3. Get unpacked and semi organized at Mrs. D’s. (Completed- JUST last weekend though. But hey, it's done!)

4. Start working out again- FULL FORCE!! No more excuses. (In the process and loving every minute of it!!)

5. Find a nice, easy-to-work-with blog designer, that won’t cost this teacher an arm and a leg. (Read this to see what else I’m seeking advice for) (That means that I've found 4 different blog designers, but yet to settle on who and what I want exactly!) Go figure.

New GOALS:

1. Find and start a new book. (Any recommendations???)

2. Organize my closet by work clothes, weekend clothes and sit around/workout clothes. It's driving me nuts!

3. Keep working out.

The Boy got me this bright pink running shirt and I'm in love with it!!

4. Read more blogs this week (I feel so behind), comment on my favs bloggers to let them know I'm still alive (lol) and write more posts!

5.  Relax and get through the week with no BIG stressors. It's DIBELS EOY testing, so I'm a bit scared. I know my kids will do just fine, it's me I'm worried about.

I hope I can get at least 4 out of 5 this week. We'll see how this goes.

Also, my parents came down this weekend! I loved every minute of it. I definitely miss them and my sister. 

My mom and I

And our drinks. Can you tell who has which drink? :)

And my nap time view this morning after breakfast. So sweet!

Hope everyone has a great week! I'll be back soon, I promise!

My Week in Pictures

I can't believe February is almost over. 

Let me first tell you, 16 1st graders on Valentine's Day is pure craziness! However, today they were all zonked and tired, so I couldn't complain! I know I complain about my jobs, kids and everything else that comes with teaching, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I love my kids more and more each day, which is making my decision on whether to move back to Chicago even harder.

Monday: 

My beautiful flower's The Boy got me finally died!

Tuesday:

The pups slept with me Tuesday night while their Mommy was out of town! They sooooo cuteee!!

Wednesday:

Post workout snuggle time.

Thursday:

Sugar-high 1st graders at their finest!!!

I came home and Mrs. D told me the pups got into one of my boxes. So we had to barricade them in so they wouldn't become chew toys again. :) Aren't we good?

Friday (tonight!):

My parents are coming in around 10:30 pm!! I can't wait. It'll be a weekend of wine, good food and family. Sounds like perfection to me!

Side Note: I just signed up for Influenster and I'm completely overwhelmed. I already got a VoxBox invitation and they said I'm getting some box in the mail, but I haven't given them my address. And what else do I gain from it? I'm trying to teach myself about the site, but something isn't registering....any suggestions?

I hope everyone has a great weekend!!

I'm BAACCKKK....

To stay this time...I promise! (bullet points is a must when so much as gone by since my last post!)

• I'm all moved in---although my room is still unorganized. But, I am one happy girl.

• The Boy came in last Thursday (the 31st) to surprise me on my birthday and he stayed the WHOLE weekend!! 

• I turned 24. Nothing TOO exciting there.

• School has been...hmm... a lot of work. I had my last announced observation last week. It went well. One of my students has been off the chain this past week and it caused me so much stress and anxiety because he usually is a phenomenal kid. I'm also majorly stressing about what I'm going to do next year (more to come on that later).
• We celebrated the 100th day of school!!

 

Classic answers from a 7 year old:

100 years from now I will be 107 years old. I hope some day that I will own 100 babies and 100 grandmas. I never wish to own 100 sharks or 100 moms. 100 years from now I hope to be a dad.

• I started running and exercising again and I feel 100x better about myself and my mood in general. I love it!! Mrs. D and I, along with many other coworkers are running in the color run in Nashville in March. I'm so excited. Fun runs are the best kind of runs!!
• I've also started a 'clean' eating streak. I went grocery shopping at Wal-Mart today and it took every ounce in my body to NOT buy ice cream. It's my weakness, but I did not buy ANY!!!
• I still have not finished my latest book. It's driving me crazy because I'm at such a good part and every time I sit down to read, something else comes up. Ugh! I will finish it soon though!!

• Having dogs around literally makes me happier no matter what type of mood I'm in. LOVE THEM!!!

• Living with someone is so much more enjoyable. I know some people prefer to live alone, but I prefer to live with someone! 

The flowers The Boy got me for my birthday in their final days.

• I'm excited that I'm back reading my favorite blogs again. I feel whole again! :) 

Well, I hope everyone is enjoying this Saturday night as much as I am. I have my pajamas on, wine in my hand, reading blogs as DVR-ed shows are playing in the background! I'm a happy girl today because I am BACK!! :)

Why I've Been MIA...

It's for good reason, I swear!!

My birthday was Thursday. My friends (& coworkers) took me out to dinner to a local restaurant Thursday night. We just ordered food and I felt a hand on my shoulder and I turned around only to see The Boy with flowers behind me!! He surprised me by coming to TN for my birthday!! I literally had no idea. Yes, I cried happy tears.

Everyone knew except me, literally, everyone knew. My friends even told my principal and got me a sub for Friday so I can spend time with The Boy!

He is here until tomorrow, so I have been soaking up every minute with him while he's down here! It's been a rough week (story later) and he seriously couldn't have come at a better time!! I'll leave you with a few pictures my (amazing!!) friends took at dinner. I'll be back tomorrow to catch up and read my usual blogs!! I hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend!!