Creating the Life: 2012

MIA...

Sunday, November 25, 2012

I'm sure you all have been wondering where I've been (my 2 followers that I'm sure have given up on me). Here is my reason for neglecting this poor blog....

What a crazy beginning of the year I had! My classroom was pretty much done (the best it's ever looked) when the bomb was dropped. Enrollment is down at my school so teachers were going to have to be let go- I had the least number of years in my grade level so that put me on hold. For the first time in 9 years I was faced with not having a class to meet on Meet the Teacher day or a first day of school. For 3 LONG weeks I sat in a half decorated and empty classroom. Not knowing if I should pack or if I would get lucky and be able to stay put. I worked throughout the day ordering items and creating homework packets for the grade level for the year.
Finally, the day came and news I was not prepared for came....I am now a kindergarten teacher. Something I never thought I would teach, or that I ever thought I would want to teach. I was basically given 2 hours to pack my room. The 2 days that followed were spent with me in the classroom I would take over, with that teacher trying to pack while I tried to unpack and decorate.
It's been interesting, stressful, and tiring! 10 weeks later I am still not completely packed/unpacked (has to be done on my own time and I don't have access on the weekends). I don't know that I will ever get over feeling like I'm 3-4 weeks behind, but it has definitely grown on me and I'm learning to love kindergarten!

So that, combined with having a family, an active 4 year-old that is playing soccer, and trying to have what little of a life that I have....gives you my reason for my absence. But, I'm back and hopefully for good!

And here are some pictures I took from my old room. (I transferred everything to my new room, but haven't had a chance to take pictures yet)

Buntings I sewed over the summer.
What was going to be the reading corner.
AND my tables- I had all student desks removed so that I could embark on Kagan strategies.

View of the other side and more buntings.
Student tables again.
And the yellow over the windows- this classroom faces the recess field. I like natural light, so I took plastic table cloths and hot glued them to the windows. It still allows light in, but keeps the distraction out. I then hang fishing line across it so I can hang student work for display.

Close-up of my border.
I decided to try something 'new' and doubled up my borders this year.

Idea from Cara Caroll (maybe??)- took these $1 book covers...

And turned them into seat covers that have a pocket!

~Jenny~

Fall Wish List

fall, shopping Sunday, September 9, 2012

September is settling in and so is my fall fever!

source

Living in Florida this means we still have a ways to go before we have cooler nights and less humidity (and I will just have to dream about those fall leaves!).
However, I am gearing my wardrobe up for fall and have a few items on my wish list...

source

First on my list is a polka dot shirt. I prefer the black with white dot compared to the opposite. I like this one with the added collar detail that gives it a feminine touch.

source

Next item that I am searching for...a blazer. When we do get those cold mornings here in the south, it is quick to warm up by the afternoon.

I have been enjoying layering more lately, too.

With this blazer, I like the simplicity and classic look (the 2 button detail is nice as well. :)

source

Loving the feminine playful look of the Peter Pan color. Dress it up, or make it more casual- a perfect staple for the fall.

source

Next up is a basic. A basic that has been absent from my closet for WAY too long! Clean, classic, simple. Love!

source

Last, and it will literally probably be the last thing that I can find, are a pair of tall boots. These boots are a thorn in my side! Apparently I have large calves that make these boots nearly impossible! I am going to continue my quest to find a pair that fit, and I am determined to win this battle this year! (by the way, if you have the same problem and know of a pair I would love your help!)

So, those are the staples I would love to add to my fall wardrobe. I am going to try REALLY hard to keep it just to these few items....but I am a shopaholic ;)
(and I'm already thinking of a pair of pants or shirt in that yummy mustard color)
What's on your fall wish list? I would love to hear!

...And if you wouldn't mind following me, pretty please?! (yes, I am begging on the Internet)

~Jenny~

Craft-Tastic Thursday

craft, necklace Thursday, August 30, 2012

Operation Necklace Holder.

On my quest to be better accessorized (and organized) I have gained a collection of necklaces with nowhere to put them. I was housing them with the rest of my ‘good’ jewelry and it was becoming a mess to put it nicely!

I don’t remember where I originally saw this idea, but this was my answer to my accessory problem….

I bought a small piece of peg board at Home Depot and had the kind man there cut it in half for me. I then spray painted it black- I wanted a neutral color that would show the jewelry well.

I was going to leave it like this, but it was too blah. I went back to Home Depot (where I spent my summer) and picked up a decorative trim. I then impressed myself when I made angle cuts to make a frame.

I chose a few decorative knobs at Hobby Lobby that would become the hooks.

Simply place the hooks through a hole and screw on the nut.....

Doesn't get much easier!

Add your necklaces...and you're done!

Voila!

Neat? Check! Organized? Check! Easy to find your necklaces? Check!
The best part is you can continue to add knobs as your necklace collection grows. You can even add some S hooks to hang bracelets from.

Summer Lovin'

bucket list, summer Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Happened So FAST! My love for summer vacation has come to an end. Labor Day is around the corner and school is well on it's way.

So, what did we accomplish on the bucket list???

10 out of 21 isn't bad.

And honestly, I wasn't using the best judgement when creating this list... HELL-O we live in FL! So my fall bucket list will be created soon and you will see some of these items appear there.

Long time, no post!

beach, birthday, classroom, pre-k Tuesday, August 28, 2012

What have we been up to???

A few weeks ago we were at the beach.
Every year The Mr.'s family comes down and we spend the week at the beach. Since we have all decided to start our own families we are now up to 21 people! It makes for very interesting dinners out, and a lot of looks at the condo.

Annual picture of the boy cousins.
Funny story- 1st time we took this picture they were just barely 1, and were screaming.
So, as any good parent(s) would do, we took it from the back ;)

2 weeks ago, teachers went back to work. My classroom looks the best it EVER has, which is bitter sweet. It was a rough week for me because enrollment is down at our school and I've been put on hold. So, my classroom sits unfinished (I was told half way through the week) with no kids and I try to busy myself with things for the school and my teammates. It is going to be a VERY long 9 days until I find something out. Here is a sneak peek of my unfinished room. :(

What was supposed to be the reading corner

Bunting and color scheme for my room

I crammed in a birthday party.

(A sneak peek at the party...post of the entire event will be up soon. :)

AND, my little boy started PreK! I don't know where the last four years have gone, but I hope that time slows down.

Nice...

Typical, silly!

Remembering...3rd Birthday

birthday Monday, August 27, 2012

I know. I've been MIA. You'll hear my excuses real soon. But, until I get to that post (and E's 4th Birthday post) I thought I would tie you over with last year's birthday fun.

Like most 3 year olds, E LOVES Mickey Mouse...