A lighter load...

Im feeling so much better after working this weekend to really lighten my own load. Sometimes in life there are certain people who wish to bring you down, and this week I was reminded of that once again.

I'm glad to say I've lightened my load of these people in my life. I only have time in my life for those people who wish to life me up and support and love me.

I have so many wonderful things to focus on in my life; my wonderful husband, a beautiful son, a supporting extended family, and wonderful, true friends, a promising job, surround by people who have their hearts and heads in the right places.

One of my wonderful Facebook friends posted this and it seems to sum up my week perfectly.

Fitting in like one of those little round pegs

I've managed two days in my new classroom, and I feel like I've gotten a lot accomplished. Boy I'm excited to really have a place call home again.

I've met two of my colleges thus far, and let me tell you folks, I'm in some good company, those ladies are great!

This is my room thus far..

I'm really proud of the way it's coming together and I suppose it was meant to be that the room in yellow, since that was one of my "design" colors.

In the coming weeks I have to finish my room, prep for open house night, learn a new literacy and a new math program in addition to PD, and getting to know my kids. I can't wait to tackle all of this....

But first, some supper. Check out this beaut that is for dessert.

Sweet Salvation

This past week I got a job!!! (Insert extremely over the top happy dance with lots of hip gyration here.)

I will be working at Woodland Elementary in Radcliff. I get to teach first grade!!! This will be the youngest set of babies I've ever taught.

My new job is a bit bittersweet. I hate to leave Hart County and all the familiarity that comes with my small hometown, but I'm beyond excited for new opportunities and experiences.

I've been busy as a bee making crafts for my classroom and planning lessons galore in my head. I get to meet my three fellow first grade friends hopefully this week! I can't wait to make their acquaintances.

More to come after I pick up my keys on Monday!!!

So you say you'd like to know more about my teaching eh?

I received a call today for an interview. I'm excited. If nothing else it made me really pull my self out of my "I don't have a job and never will" slump and get my brain on the right track.

After a fresh portfolio cover, and new copies of my letters and resumes I think I'm ready.

Now let's hope I don't get my hopes up fantasizing about bulletin boards, interactive lessons, and ALL of my Pinteresting I want to put in place and then be let down with the "You had a great interview, but we've decided to go with another candidate" speech.

More to come. Interview is next Tuesday afternoon. Wish me luck!!!

Sun and Summer

We've been putting our Beech Bend passes to good use. Looks like well be going for the third time this week tomorrow. Can't wait. Maybe I'll escape the summer looking a few shades darker than our good friend Casper.

Aaron has really improved riding his bike with no training wheels. He is spending most of the day outside with the neighboring boys and they play till dusk. When he comes in he is filthy!!! I love it. It reminds me of those same days when I was younger.

Russ purchased us a new cell phone. We're are both now proud members of the apple cult. :)

On the market of the job front. Notta. Still hopeful.

How are your summers going?

The cheese line really stinks!

For those of you who also felt the chop of the ax in the budget cuts gimmie a high five! Each day I sit a scour the sites for teaching positions and feel like banging my head against a wall... hard!

It is so very frustrating to want something so badly, but be denied it. As a teacher I strive to be current, up to date, and do things in my classroom that are beneficial, and that will make an impact on my kids. I LOVE my job- only problem is... I don't have one.

I sit and browse the Internet and find tons and tons of ideas I want to put into place- and admittedly, I fantasise about decorating.organizing a classroom. I just wish that some word would come, but I know I must wait. (Admission: I'm not a patient waiter!)

So as I wait, I still scour the blogs and pins of my friends and I eagerly pin all the best ideas I see. Somewhere deep down I wonder if it is all in vain. I think sometimes maybe I should just go apply for some secretarial position- that is NOT what I want to do with my life, but my chances are looking grim.

I suppose in the mean time, I will try to take the hubs advise and enjoy my summer. I vow to try to suppress my worry- at least until the beginning of July that is.

If are a teacher, please take stock of what you have. So many would kill to have what you have. Go into your classrooms with a vigor and love for kids. We are all they get some days. Until next time...

Pinterest Pandemonium

Summer is here! (Well, technically for me it begins at noon tomorrow!) With the arrival of summer I've found myself pinning more and more! I'm not sure if this is just to fill my idle summer months ahead, or if I'm truly just an addict.

Hello, my name is Lee Ann and I'm a pinning addict. Admission is the first step right?

In honor of my addiction (Pinterest and I are approaching our one year anniversary in our relationship, it's the only thing that kept me awake when hubby stuck me on the hotel desk working 3rd shift last summer!) :) (P.S. I'd do it again in a heart beat love!)

I am making a "Best of Pinterest" post this week. These are the best pins I've found recently. You know those things that you ponder making at 1 am, or while your in the shower. :)


Classroom "I Cans"

With the new common core standards we use "I can" statements and I think this would be a perfect way to display them with each unit/lesson. Will do if I have a classroom! (This is where you can insert your prayer that I get a job this summer!)

Organized!!!

I LOVE these simple crates with cups hot glued into the bottom. Since I began teaching, the Dollar General store has mesh metal baskets made for holding picnic items, I've always wanted to use them for supplies for groups, but I'm far too stingy to buy them. I guess this is the next best choice! See lustful baskets below!



Letter/Number Tiles

Okay, so this is the one that is keeping me up at night. (I think not because I want to make it so badly, but because I have no class to put it in place in.) This is the greatest little center activity! You can make each tile with letters or numbers and use them however you like. For the tiny kiddlets, you can do word families, or math problems, and for the bigger kiddos you could use for spelling practice with difficult vocabulary words, maybe even some phonic activities like chunking and prefixes/suffixes. Just thoughts.... WANNA DO THIS SO BAD!

Okay, so here is my Pinterest rant for the week. Now, go make something wonderful, and say a prayer I get a job so I have a reason to make my own!!