It's Coming...

  Here are the TOP TEN ways a teacher knows that the start of a new school year is just around the corner:

1. She notices her "pinning" has  become a lot more frequent, erratic and panicked. For some reason, right before school starts, I pin like it's my job. I guess I'm thinking that if I just pin ALL THE THINGS I'll have them when I undoubtedly need them.

2. She goes to the Parent Teacher store twice in two weeks... and she still doesn't have everything she needs. I make lists. Really, I do! I for some reason cannot get everything in one trip to save my soul. After six years, it still overwhelms me.

3. Her hands turn into misshapen claws (to steal a term from FRIENDS) cutting, gluing, typing, hot glue gunning, stapling and fabric hanging. One year, I honestly had numbness in my hands for WEEKS because of this. No pain, no gain... or, so I've been told.

4. She lays in bed at night and can't sleep. Thoughts in her head include, but are not limited to: What if I don't get it all done? What if my kids don't pass TCAP? What if blankityblank is in my class? What am I going to do about homework this year? I need to buy a border for the green bulletin board and some letters for the orange bulletin board. How am I going to fit Math into a 45 minute block? I should pin more things because that will make me more prepared. (It's all a vicious cycle.)

5. She notices potential classroom organization products everywhere she goes. Oh, sure I can turn that shower caddy into a pencil holder! Absolutely, it'll be no problem to turn this garbage can into a big book holder! Awesome, what if I store journals in this litter box! The possibilities, they are endless.

6. Her bank account starts going down, down, down. And, her blood pressure starts going up, up, up. I think it's been scientifically proven that these two correlate, right?

7. She starts dreading the fact that she's going to have to wear "real clothes" soon. And then she realizes that she can't fit in her "real clothes" anymore because she's spent the whole summer eating junk. (Maybe that's just me....)

8. She starts seeing families at Wal-Mart buying entire cart-loads of school supplies and she gets heart palpitations every time.

9. She's had to explain 15 times why even though she's not technically required to be up at school right now, it really is necessary. You can't walk in the day before school starts and be ready to go. Come on, people, a classroom doesn't set itself up!

10. She's excited. Even though I'm EXTREMELY nervous about this year because of my move to third grade, I'm REALLY excited. I've been thinking about school a lot (obviously) and I just can't wait. I saw my class list last week and let me tell you: I couldn't be happier! Lots of kiddos that I love on that list :)

I wish every teacher out there good luck! It's officially crunch-time! Because, ready or not, they're coming...

They speak to me.

I don't know what's the matter with me. But, I CAN NOT bypass a good eCard on Pinterest! They just speak to me. And, they make me laugh.

I've seen some really good ones lately, so I thought I'd share.

This one might be my very favorite. My first graders ALWAYS called hand sanitizer "hanitizer." So, I started calling it that as well.Way to be a shining example, right? Whatever, I think it's clever.

Because I really am the biggest homebody you'll ever meet...

Sometimes, I actually get panicky. So many choices... so little time.

I bet this true of at least 85% of the population. Why are they called yoga pants anyway? I think "tv pants" has a nice ring to it...

I don't think this really needs any commentary.

This is for my friend, Kristin. I think this applies to our texting :)

I used to laugh at this. Then I got a puppy and I haven't slept through the night since. Karma, it's brutal.

I totes do this!!

So, I don't think I've mentioned this on my blog before... but, I hate Twilight. Like, really hate it. I read the books. They were terrible. I refuse to watch the movies. Mostly because Kristen Stewart is not a good actress. Hence, this got a big laugh from me.

I don't understand why people do this. But, I love to watch it happen!

I can't count how many discussions I've had with my friends about people on TV. And, we talk about them like they're real. It's fun, don't judge us.

FOR REALS! How did this movie flop??

I think some people mistake the word "status" for "diary."

This really does worry me.

I seriously have moments when I do this. Especially at school when I see 20 kids looking up at me and relying on me to teach them and take care of them. Big responsibility... but, an amazing oppurtunity :)

I guess that's enough.

But, believe me. I have more.

Sneak Peak

 I've been working really hard in my classroom the last few weeks. I don't want to be throwing this out too confidently just yet... but, this may be my favorite classroom so far! It's really bright and fun :) I haven't taken pictures yet because it's not done. I have NO IDEA what to do with my 8 (yes, you read that correctly) bulletin boards! I mean, one is obviously a word wall and one is a calendar board. Beyond that... no clue. I also need to tidy up a little in there before I take pictures.

 My mom made me some really cute curtains that I had to share. I picked out all the stuff and came up with the design and she got them done in an hour! Thanks, Mom! She also helped me out by repairing some of my chair pouches that have all seen much better days and even making me some new ones because I didn't have enough. Ohhh, and she came up to school with me last week and hung NINE lanterns from the ceiling and hot glued fabric to two giant boards. She's the best!

Those are my new curtains! I'll take a close-up picture soon. This pic just happened to be on my phone  because I sent it to my mom after I got them hung :)

It's coming along and I can't wait to see the finished product!

Dog Days of Summer

Obviously, my summer has been QUITE consumed by Finley. I'm sorry a lot of my blog posts lately have been about her...but, she's basically been eating up all my time. So, here's what she's been up to the last few weeks.

She's been spending some time leashed up. Because, honestly, she wears me out and sometimes... I just need a break :) But, she doesn't mind at all and she actually LOVES to chew on her leash. I'm sure that's a bad habit I'll have to break later.

This is her "I'm a koala bear" look.

She likes to lay in bed and snuggle. Snuggle and BITE. We're working on it...

She loves my dad. And, I think he's pretty fond of her, too.

One night, she was sleeping in her crate and my phone rang. I guess I was talking too loud because she stuck her face and her legs out of the crate and just stared at me the whole time. I feel like she's judging me sometimes :)

Finley and I met my mom in downtown Franklin today for lunch. And, Fin was quite the little celebrity. I think about 20 people stopped to play with her and one guy asked if he could take a picture of her. Um, sure Stranger. Take a picture of my dog. That's normal. But, I do agree that she's pretty cute :)

This is how we roll.

This weekend, I'm keeping Matt and Blakely's dog. I miss Hampton so I was excited to get to spend some time with her. And, Miss Finley needs a REALITY CHECK. She doesn't spend a lot of time with other dogs so she needs to learn not to nip and bite.

Can you see Finley under the coffee table? She was really scared at first to share her territory!

And, while Hampton napped on my bed, Finley stared her down from her crate. Haha!

But, they've been warming up to each other. Hampton is really sweet with her. Finley's the punk. She walks up to Hampton and nips at her and then runs. When Hampton chases her, she can't believe it!

Hampy's actually a lot more interested in climbing on the furniture than playing with Finley.

Looks like fun, huh?

Finley never takes her eyes off her.

How funny is this? Hampy has always sat like this... even when she was a puppy.

Right now, they're both laying in the floor eating their treats. My house looks like PetSmart exploded. But, we've had fun :)

Have a good weekend!

Because I'm Bored...

This afternoon, it was rainy. The puppy was napping (she must be going through a growth spurt, because she napped all day!) and it was all nice and quiet in the house. So, I got on my computer and I started watching the movie Pearl Harbor. I know, kind of lame, but I love that movie. All throughout the movie, all I could think about was whether I liked Rafe or Danny better. Haha. It would literally change from scene to scene. I could never decide. So, a blog post began to form in my brain and this is the result.

Disclaimer: Now, please understand that I'm not claiming to be in love with all these guys... not by a long shot. I just thought it would be fun to decide which one I like best.

So, here we go...

1. Battle of the Pilots

It's only fair that they go first since they sparked this great debate.

 

Looks: This is tough. They're both infinitely hot. I think this movie was the peak of both of their looks, to be honest. But, if you forced me to choose, Rafe is hotter.

Personality: I'm going with Danny. Rafe is sometimes a little too cocky. And, Danny is just so lovable and sweet.

My Pick: Danny. I can't really explain why and I thought about it A LOT.

2. Battle of the Savages

Back in the 90's, these two brothers were kind of big. Fred Savage played Kevin Arnold on The Wonder Years and his little brother Ben played Cory Matthews on Boy Meets World.

 

Looks: I always though Fred was cuter. Ben always had that curly afro haircut and Fred's smile is adorable.

Personality: I don't really know much about them personally. Character-wise, Ben played a funnier character and Kevin Arnold was kind of whiny... but, so was Cory Matthews.

My Pick: Fred. To me, Ben is Cory Matthews, who is a dork. So, nuff' said.

3. Battle of Texas

Come on, you know I had to! These are the two hotties of Friday Night Lights: Tim Riggins and Matt Saracen.

Looks: Matt is a cutie, but Tim Riggins is the hottest thing to walk the planet.

Personality: Matt is sweet and he's a really nice guy. Tim's a brooding bad boy with a big heart. They're both funny on the show. But, you guys know where my loyalty lies.

My Pick: Do you even have to ask? Texas Forever!!

4. Battle of the Pool

I'm kind of obsessed with the Olympics. And, especially these two guys: Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps.

Looks: Lochte, by far.

Personality: I don't know too much about Lochte personally. But, Michael Phelps appears to be a good guy who is pretty humble throughout all his success. I'll go with Phelps.

My Pick: Lochte. I'm just intrigued by him because he's the newer one. And, it's always fun to root for the underdog...

5. Battle of the Tools

Caroline Manzo from the Real Housewives of New Jersey has two sons that she thinks are God's gift to women. Albie is the older, wiser one and Chris is the goof ball.

Looks: Obviously, Albie is the more attractive brother. No contest.

Personality: Chris is supposed to be the funny one. The funny thing is, he isn't that funny. Unless you happen to like Adam Sandler wannabe's. So, Albie wins by default.

My Pick: Albie. But, they're both obnoxious.

6. Battle of the Wizards

I'm a big Harry Potter nerd fan. And, like with Rafe and Danny, I've always gone back and forth between which one is my favorite: Harry or Ron.

Looks: They both went through some seriously awkward phases through the course of the 8 Harry Potter movies. Remember their haircuts in Goblet of Fire? But, I think I'd have to go with Ron on this one. He's just adorable.

Personality: Hmmmm. Ron's obviously the comedic relief of the movies so he stands out. But, Harry is the heart and soul of it all. And, he's such a good person. I'm going with Harry.

My Pick: Harry. I guess it's from the books more than the movies, but Harry is my favorite character I've ever read. His life is so tragic and hopeful and interesting.

7. Battle of the Games

Peeta and Gale are the two main guys in The Hunger Games. And, everybody is always debating which one Katniss should be with. Here's where I stand:

 

Looks: I know this isn't a popular opinion, but I honestly think Peeta is cuter. Gale is just too perfect, you know what I mean?

Personality: Peeta. I just never felt like I really knew Gale as well as I knew Peeta. And, I love how vulnerable and sweet Peeta is.

My Pick: Peeta. Always has been, always will be.

8. Battle of the Princes

Everybody knows William and Harry, right?

 

Looks: Harry, hands down. William has a receeding hairline and looks just like his dad. Harry has the cutest smile ever.

Personality: Harry. He's the funny, light hearted one.

My Pick: Harry. And, it wasn't even a contest.

Well, there you have it. Those are my choices.

Let me know if you disagree with any of them :)