Third Day Curse

I'm cursed when it comes to the third day of school.

Last year one the third day of school I had a student throw up on me.

Today- the third day- I had a student pee on me..... Yep, you read correctly. A student urinated on me.

I knew I had to change clothes but was faced with three dilemmas.

1. I carpool with someone and today she drove- so I did not have my car.
2. I live an hour away so going home/getting someone to bring me clothes was out of the questions.
3. This month our check was not direct deposited... so I had not gotten paid and had $8.47 in my checking account. Hardly enough to buy new clothes. (People who get paid only once a month can relate!)
   

Thank goodness for my dear carpool friend! (I'll have to come up with a pseudonym for her later). She let me drive her car to the mall. I was petrified! She just bought a brand new car... and the way my luck was going today I just knew this would be the time I would have an accident. Thankfully I made it back with her car in one piece! She also let me use her debit card to get some clothes- and I would pay her back once I cashed my paycheck.

Well, I get to the mall at 9:30 and discover that the stores do not open until 10. Big problem considering the entire front of my pants/shirt is covered in urine... and I smelled really bad! I stood outside the gate of NY&Co watching the sales associates prepare for the day.

I was able to convince a very pregnant lady to hear me out for just a minute.... after hearing my story she slipped me into the store. I ran straight to the dressing room and stripped down. She then passed me some wet wipes.... and when I say I bathed in wet wipes, I mean I literally bathed in them! The lady asked me what I wanted to wear and I said "I'm wearing brown shoes so anything that matches them will be fine". She tossed me some pants and a shirt and I was off to check out.... still wearing the tags on my clothes!

I got the name of the sales associate and I plan on sending her a nice thank-you gift! She was really very sweet! I also owe my carpool friend more than just money! She was a life saver!

Lesson I learned in school today: Next year, call in on the third day of school!

As if the peepee story is bad enough, when I left my classroom this afternoon the toilet in my classroom bathroom was over flowing.... YUCK! I left it for the janitors to deal with! I'd had enough 'stuff' for the day! =)

Inspirations

I was browsing the web this evening for inspiring teacher quotes! I had a great first day of school! I have a very bright and sweet group of kindergarten kiddos! I'm excited to see how far they go- the sky's the limit!

Quote of the Week:
"We all have 24 hours in a day."
Ms. Hoppa- you'll get that one! ;)

Here's what I found...

I'm thinking of printing this out and framing it to go in my classroom.... I LOVE this one!

Unity
By Cleo V. Swarat (thanks to Dan for correcting our info!)

I dreamed I stood in a studio
And watched two sculptors there,
The clay they used was a young child’s mind
And they fashioned it with care.

One was a teacher:
the tools she used were books and music and art;
One was a parent
With a guiding hand and gentle loving heart.

And when at last their work was done,
They were proud of what they had wrought.
For the things they had worked into the child
Could never be sold or bought!

And each agreed she would have failed
if she had worked alone.
For behind the parent stood the school,
and behind the teacher stood the home!

Teacher's Prayer
Author Unknown

Lord, Please help me,
To strengthen their voices,
bodies and minds,
To express their feelings and
control them sometimes,
To explore what's near
and venture afar,
But most important to love
who they are.

This one was just plain cute!

Two More Days Till School
By: Leslie Kimmelman

I'm finally going to school this year,
and now the big day's almost here.
I'll learn to write and count and read--
Only two more days till school.

I got new pants and shirts and socks,
a brand-new red and blue lunch box;
I'll paint and sing and dance and play--
Only one more day fill school.

My hair is washed, my sneakers squeak,
I'm so excited, I can hardly speak!
New things to do, new friends to meet--
Hooray! It's the first day of school!

Meet Mandy

Look what was waiting on me when I arrived home from class tonight......

My new TomTom..... or Mandy as I've named her. The voice/preference I selected was Mandy... but it was a tough decision as I also liked Lori and Bonnie!

I've programmed in a few favorite places - including work, I know I'm a dork- and I can't wait to see if Mandy has a better sense of direction than I do! This thing has it all- it will even look up gas stations, restaurants, stores, etc... in your vicinity! Pretty neat!

I feel so hip and tech savvy! ;)

This is the free GPS I received for buying new tires.... discussed in this post.

*I apologize for the picture being so dark and blurry. I took this with my camera phone (my camera's batteries are dead). I'm just excited that I was able to FINALLY figure out how to get my pictures onto my computer..... one word - EMAIL! haha

All Good Things

..... must eventually come to an end!

I found this flair button on facebook and thought it was cute!

I've been on summer vacation for three months- but tomorrow I must return to the real world. My days filled with sleeping late, wasting the day away in my PJ's, afternoon naps, and my favorite cooking shows have come to an end. Teachers return tomorrow and a new batch of sweet peas will arrive bright and early Thursday morning!

So, how did I spend my last day of freedom? I wore my PJ's all day, washed clothes, cleaned the house, packed my gym bag for next week, finished up my homework, and did a little yard work! I went to the grocery store the other day and had to think about what I would take for lunch next week..... I haven't had to think about things like that in a while! =)

I will say that the weather was GORGEOUS for my last day of summer. However, it felt nothing like summer. Instead it felt like a warm Autumn day. It was sunny buy very cool and breezy- wonderful! =)

I've said it before and I'll say it again- I'm ready for pumpkins, chilly nights, cool days, hay rides, trick or treaters, jack-0-lanterns, the beautiful colors of Fall, Halloween, and the electricity in the that that signals it's October! October is my favorite month! It will make it's grand entrance in just over a month! =)

Ahh... if only it were tomorrow!

Well, I'm off to try and get to bed early. Maybe I'll get lucky and have sweet dreams of Autumn days!

Wish me luck!

Classroom Cutesies- Part 1

A few weeks ago (before we went to the beach), I was beginning to think I'd die of boredom! So, I decided to go ahead and start on my classroom early- that way while everyone else was working on theirs, I could take the rest of my summer vacation off! Plus, I had several projects that I knew would take alot of time to complete.

Last year I inherited tons and tons of stuff in my new classroom - the teacher before me retired after many years of teaching. While I was greatly appreciative, the majority of her things were not my style. However, I had just signed my contract and was not yet receiving paychecks- so I had to make do with what I had.

This year I went all out! I've spent roughly $650 from this paycheck alone on my classroom. I HATE that I don't have more pictures from last year so you could see just how different my room is now!

Any who- alot of the things for my classroom I've made. I wanted a cute door hanger for my classroom. Instead of paying out the wazoo for one, I decided to use my own flare and creativity.

Here's my creation!
I found these canvases at Big Lots for $3. I bought new brushes for $3. The ribbon came from Wally World for $2. I used the paint I already had in my classroom.

I painted the canvases, hot glued the ribbon on, and VOILA! It has been Sylvia Graced! haha

The whole project cost $8 and only took 1 hour (including the time it took the paint to dry!).


Stay tuned for Part 2 - the most drastic change I made to my classroom! Until then, here's a sneak peak....

Hmm... what on Earth could I be up to?!?

Neat-O

I love this video- and the song! It's really neat-O!

So, turn up your speakers and enjoy!


Shadowed Hand Puppet Show

Reminiscing

Today I felt older.

Not older, as in wrinkled skin, gray hair, aging old..... but older as in I felt like I'd seen a thing or two.

Today was the start of the Fall semester at MSU. There was an electricity in the air- the type that you associate with Autumn. The parking lot was packed- as it is every Fall. And then by October it's died down as many have changed their minds about college. The lines were endless- people standing in line at the bookstore, people standing in line to get their I.D. made..... and so on....

I couldn't help but chuckle as the new students we brimming over with excitement- but nervous at the same time. They were chatting about what degree they were perusing, what their schedule was like, and which class they had next.

To them, it was all brand new and exciting. To me, it had lost it's luster many semesters ago.

Here are some numbers.....

• This is my 16th first day of a new semester....
• 5 years ago I was starting my second semester as premed.... in Birmingham... on a completely different road in life- both spiritually and physically.
  
• This is the fifth degree I've started on- three of which I've achieved. (I decided against pre-med after two semesters).
  
• This degree will the the 4th one hanging on my wall....

Let's just say that when it comes to college, I've seen a thing or two. I know the ins and outs sometimes better than I know myself. So, standing there amidst the buzz of the new students, I felt older....experienced...outdated.

I sat in denial for a good half hour.

Has it really been 5 years since I graduated high school and started summer classes at UAB....

Has it really been 5 years since I was walking the campus of UAB, living in my own apartment, carefree...... utterly spoiled beyond what should be acceptable.

Has it really been almost 5 years since I felt God calling me to teach... I remember that November day as if it were yesterday- the day I decided to move back home and pursue teaching..... longing for the life I now live.

Has it really been 3 years since I was at MCC taking classes full time- all the while working the evening/night shift at Anderson's Hospital... getting only 4 hours of sleep and seeing my husband only on weekends....

Has it really been almost 3 years since I graduated with my associate's degree- and thought I knew it all.....

Has it really been 2 1/2 years since my first day at MSU- I was scared to death.....

Has it really been 1 year since I graduated with my bachelor's, started my master's, smiled for days after I accepted a job teaching kindergarten.... the summer I turned a corner in life.

Has it really been that long?

So, tonight I started on my Educational Specialist degree..... another school year is starting. I go back to work next Monday, and will meet a new batch of curious eyes that Thursday as the students return.

Tonight felt like Autumn...my favorite time of year.... and amidst the sadness I felt as I realized just how much time has passed.... I was suddenly unbelievably content with my life today... just as it is.

Quotes for this week:

"Time is free, but it's priceless. You can't own it, but you can use it.
You can't keep it, but you can spend it.
Once you've lost it you can never get it back."
Harvey MacKay

"You never know what's coming for ya'"
Benjamin Button

"Life is all about timing... the unreachable becomes reachable, the unavailable becomes available, the unattainable.....attainable. Have the patience, wait it out.
It's all about timing."
Stacey Charter

Twilight

This book review will be short and sweet.....


I'm addicted.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
I give this book 5/5 .... you've got to read it!

As I mentioned previously, I was a skeptic... but I'm now an addict. I started reading this book Saturday evening around 5 (the hubby and I took the Mustang to the drag strip- so, I had all night to read)- I finished it last night at 8. That means I read the book in just over 24 hours. I'm now on my way to Meridian to pick up the next book, New Moon. Thank goodness that Twilight had the first chapter of New Moon as a 'sneak peak' to tide me over until I can get the other book. I don't think I could have made it through this morning without having my Edward fix! I'm now counting down the days until the New Moon movie comes out in November.

Take my advice- read this saga.

The Time Traveler's Wife

The Time Traveler's Wife
by Audrey Niffeneger

I give this book 4.5 / 5 stars

My good friend, Chickadee, and I are big Eric Bana fans. So, when I began seeing advertisements for his new movie The Time Traveler's Wife I began investigating. Once I found that his new movie is actually based on a book, I decided to give it a try. I'm also a huge Rachel McAdams fan!

I highly recommend this book! The story between Henry and Clare is so unbelievably moving that you become entranced in their love and thus cannot put the book down! =) This is a real pager turner! I just finished reading it about 20 minutes ago and I'm still teary eyed from crying like a baby. I couldn't wait to see what what going to happen to Clare and Henry, but at the same time I hated finishing the book because I didn't want the story to end. I'm definitely going to miss these characters.

The movie opens in theaters Friday. Chickadee and I are going to have a girls night out and watch the movie. I just hope the move is half as good as the book!

In case you've been living under a rock and have not seen the millions of previews on TV for this movie, here is the trailer......

For my next reading love affair, I've decided to take the plunge and dive head first into the Twilight series. I will admit that I've rolled my eyes several times at the mention of the movie or book series. However, I decided to be 'open minded' (there I go again!) and watch the movie. I ended up loving the movie! I bought the book a few weeks ago but decided to read The Time Traveler's Wife first. I'm actually excited about the next installment, New Moon, coming out in theater's in late November. I'm starting on Twilight this weekend. I've heard the book is better than the movie- so, we shall see!

Top 5 Facial Favs

There's nothing like waking up the morning after a beauty night and loving the way your skin feels! So, I thought I'd share my top 5 favorite facial products...

1. Pure Simplicity Purifying Face Mask - Pumpkin




I don't think you can even buy this at Bath and Body Works anymore. I've been using it for a few years now and love it! Needless to say, I have quite a stash of it! =)
It smells like a fresh pumpkin pie - Yummo! This mask is designed to help retexturize your skin - leaving it feeling soft, smooth, and clean! This stuff is fabulous!

Also ladies, this was a product on Oprah's favorite things list about 3 years ago and was named as one of the best gifts for Christmas by Oprah 2 +- years ago.





2. Patricia Wexler M.D. Dermatology Acnescription™ Exfoliating Acne Cleanser



I've never had acne but like every other woman in American I have breakouts from makeup, stress, etc... Bath and Body Works Acnescription cleanser is tough enough to tame acne, but gentle enough to use everyday- even for those who just have a few small breakouts. It deep cleans but doesn't dry out your skin.
$16 at any Bath and Body Works location







3. Patricia Wexler M.D. Dermatology Acnescription Oil-Free Hydrator with SPF 30 for Acne


Moisturizing is key to great skin. Nuff said!

This facial lotion actually absorbs oil. I can only speak for myself, but I can say with certainty that I HATE how my face can sometimes get oily after only a few hours of makeup wear. Most lotions, even those that claim to be oil-free, will leave me shiny. This stuff does not! I can even put it on before I apply my makeup and not have to worry about any shiny side effects! Plus, it has SPF 30!

$39.50 at any Bath and Body Works location



4. Oil of Olay Daily Facial Cleansers Deep Cleansing Cloths




These little scrubbing wipes have it all built in- mask, scrub, toner. I love how they are quick to use, easy to take when traveling, and the price! Each pack contains 30 cloths and can be found at any Wal-Mart of drugstore for roughly $6. I use these in the mornings as part of my getting-ready-for-the-day routine. I use the Acnescription cleanser at night. I prefer the deep cleansing cloths, but they also come in moisturizing and sensitive skin packs.
$6-7 at any Wal-Mart or drugstore




5. Bare Minerals


I was always a staunch Clinique girl until my mom got me hooked on bare minerals. Sorry Clinique! I always hated how sticky and heavy my face felt when I used a liquid foundation and powder.... ugh, Gross! Bare Minerals is so light that I can't feel I'm wearing makeup. I also like their shimmer blush. I've tried to less exspensive versions found at drugstores and found they just do not work as well as Bare Minerals. So, spend the extra money to get the better product. For pricing/plans check out Bare Minerals.