A slacker??

I am totally feeling like a blogging slacker. Whenever I think, "hey I need to write a post", I am out running errands and by the time I get home to sit down at my computer to do it, something else distracts me and then it doesn't happen. I might just have to start using the app on my phone and do something small. 

Well, to catch you up on the past month or so... I am almost finished with my teacher training, I have applied to 11 districts and 2 charter schools so far... went on 2 interviews but nothing yet. I am still praying it happens and I know it will in due time. I am not patient though. I reveived my scores from my TEA content test... PASSED. So now I can teach grades 4 through 8. 

I have come to figure out I am addicted to Goodwill/thrift stores/Craigslist lately. I do not know if it is the idea of saving as money as I have or the thrill of finding a good deal but I have become almost addicted at buying things lately from Goodwill, Craigslist, and thrift stores. Here are some of my recent purchases:

(Ann Taylor Loft heels found at Goodwill for $6.99 plus 30% off for a total of $5.29 with tax... 

found online for $138)

(a microfiber couch... VERY clean... bought on Craigslist for $80)

(two pair of flats... plaid one was $3.99 and the brown ones were $4.99 at Goodwill)

(3 pairs of shoes bought at Goodwill last week... 

total retail value of about $130 and bought them for $18 with tax)

(messenger bag bought at Goodwill... valued around $40 and they had it priced for $6.99)

(a Vera Bradley tote bag bought at Goodwill... found them online for $86 they had it priced for $4.99)

(technically bought at www.halfpricebooks.com but the book on the left is to assist me be a better teacher and they had it for 99 cents and I have found it online for almost $30 and the one on the right is for one of my masters classes and they had it for $1.99 and the campus bookstore had it for almost $20)

See why I have an addiction? And then to make things worse, I went to Walgreens today and got all of this stuff for $33 (saved almost $37 AND got a $10 reward back)!!

(there are 3 cases of water, 6 24 packs of crayons, 6 boxes of 8 count pencils, 16 highlighters, 2 scissors, 4 boxes of Kleenex, 4 spirals, an iPhone game for my son, and a bag of chia seeds)

Now I really need to find a job to feed this addiction... I joke!

I think that pretty much catches up the past month. Do you have any plans for the last month of summer before school starts? I have friends who are going to the beach and camping. We really do not have plans. 

So It Is Already June...

June has hit the Houston area... and it is HOT and HUMID. Thankfully I have been able to stay inside the majority of the time. Yesterday (June 1st) I was in an all day training for my educator certification. It was really interesting the things we went over... how to be an effective teacher. 

This is one of the hand outs that they gave... very informative.

My husband came rushing into the house last night telling me to grab my camera. This is what he was wanting me to see.... 

a watermelon about the size of a baseball 

and the beginnings of an eggplant

I was soo excited because this year things are actually growing. Normally I get a tomato or two and that is it. 

Another historian friend of mine sent me this picture because she knows I would enjoy it since I am a WWII historian and starting my educator training.

Any ideas for cheap or free things to do with an 8 year old over the summer?

End of Baseball Season

This week was the end of the baseball season for Spring 2013. I didn't get to go much to my son's games because they fell on days of my classes. When I did go, he was an awesome catcher. The team was the division champs- undefeated! I was so proud of the boys.

 

Now it is time for the end of the school year and to prepare to have a fun filled summer! I have a plan... just hope we get to do them all.

Happy Memorial Day!

This weekend has been full of fun and reflection.

Yesterday was a friends birthday party. They had a water slide for the kiddos... my child decided he wanted to be a daredevil and to give me a heart attack... he thought it was hilarious.

Today is Memorial Day. I went to the cemetery to put flags at my dad's grave. I had forgotten that the cemetery did a Memorial Day program so while I was there, I was listening to the preacher talk and then they called dad's name as one of the servicemen who passed this year. Totally threw me off guard and made me tear up some. It's such a beautiful day for a memorial service.

Dad's grave with his flags....

Dad was a truck driver for over 40 years... I had to give him a 18 wheeler so he would always have a truck with him... he wouldn't know what to do without one. 

I hope you all have a great Memorial Day. Be safe.

Crazy Two Weeks

I promise to start being a better blogger... now that school is out for the semester. The past two weeks have been insane. Finals were submitted, grades posted, graduation was held, argued with the college about being admitted into the Masters program and then to enroll into classes, celebrated my son's crossover in cub scouts into the bear den, had my son's last baseball game of the season, and finished up observations for my alternative teacher program (at the high school and middle school). Here is are some of the pictures from the past two weeks... enjoy.

Went to Goodwill to see if there were any good deals. I found these Stuart Weitzman priced at $6.99. I have been looking for some nude pumps so I thought it was a great deal. When I went to pay for them, I found out there was a 30% discount sale that day. They were $5.30 total with tax. I was EXCITED! (I found them online for $75 but then found out that that brand sells at Bloomingdale's for around $300. Talk about me being STOKED about my $5.30 find!!)

After finals were completely done, I was actually able to go to one of my kiddo's baseball game. He ended up getting the game ball that night. I am so proud of him.

For graduation, I was able to wear my honor cords for my involvement with the history club. I was sooo proud when I was able to pick them up.

Since I am trying to dress up more than I used to, every day I try some new outfit I saw similar to on Pinterest. (Follow me there if you have not already)  This is something new I tried... I actually liked it a lot!

Two days before graduation, I was stressing about my grades... especially for one of the classes where the instructor was not willing to share grades like most of the teachers. Grades were supposed to post the 23rd. I got a text message from a friend saying the grades were posted. These are my grades. This is not what I would love to have had finishing off my bachelor's degree, but I am grateful that they were passing. 

Last year I was my son's cub scout den leader. After realizing that I could not continue doing so with my class load, I turned it over to another den leader. I was excited to see the boys grow and pass one achievement after another. The day of crossover was HOT but exciting. Thankful I was able to be there to see my son move from the wolf den to the bear den. This is him being a goofball after crossing over. 

The day after my son "graduated" in cub scouts, I graduated with my bachelor's degree. Here is me with the mascot of our college (hawk). 

I was doing everything in my power to not cry as I was walking across the stage to get my diploma tube. Thirteen long, hard, emotional years coming to an end. 

One of my best friends was able to make it to graduation... haven't really been able to see her in years. She bought me these BEAUTIFUL yellow roses with blue babies breath. They smell amazing but because of the cats, they are sitting on top of the fridge since I later found out that the cats and babies breath are a deadly combination. 

This week, I had a real estate training... I decided to dress up a little.

My son's last game was Tuesday. I am so proud of him and happy with the improvements that he has done this year over last year. He is moving from coach pitch to kid pitch next year and I am unsure how he will do... I have a feeling that I will be working with him over the summer before fall ball. 

I have been doing observations this past week, trying to get my hours completed so I can have that part finished when I take my content test in two weeks. I am loving the turquoise/mint and melon/coral colors together. This is one combination I tried this week. This was my laid back, relaxed look I tried for instead of the jeans and t-shirt pairing I normally would wear.

We did a garden this year and these are the new pickings that my husband pulled today... 2 yellow squash and 4 SMALL jalapenos. I do not eat either, but he does and is excited to make some salsa with the jalapenos with some onions that we have and the cilantro that we are growing as well. Nothing like home grown, healthy food to eat for dinner. 

Sorry this post was long. There was a lot going on the past two weeks but I promise I will be better about posting more often. I hope you guys have an AMAZING Memorial Day weekend. Please be safe. 

Cheap Shopping Finds and Mother's Day

By trying to update my wardrobe with professional/lady like clothing (remember, I am a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl), I am shopping the sales that are coming through the mail or my email inbox. I got several great ads from Old Navy and Ulta as well as saw specials from this Facebook page I follow that sells handmade and popular jewelry. These are the new things I added this week. 

A friend of mine is having a baby shower on June 1st but I will not be able to be there because that is my first day for on-site alternative teacher training. I went ahead and got something for her and gave it to her at lunch this week. All three outfits, a super soft blanket, and a set of socks for less than $20.00 at dd's Discounts. I am sooo glad I have found that store. 

I got a coupon from Ulta this week for $3.50 off order. My husband needed some new cologne and we got this super cute turquoise bag for FREE with his purchase. Then I got some makeup and the body care products in the second picture that was buy one get one. Whoo! My total purchases was less than $20.00! 

Old Navy sent me a 20% off coupon for Mother's Day which I put to good use for these 3 cardigans. They are originally $15.00 and were on sale for $12.00. With the 20% coupon, they became $9.60 each. I think that is a really good deal for some comfy cardigans.

The Chunky Funky has some fantastic homemade and popular jewelry at their Facebook site. This coral necklace was something new she had on sale for $20.00. I have the brown and turquoise and silver set that she had, so I thought why not add this one too. 

I have been doing some major relaxing this past week since school has ended. This week I will be getting ready for graduation that is next Sunday but today was all about spending time with my little man. He wanted to take me to my favorite Mexican restaurant so I dressed up some... OK  I just wore some khaki capris, brown tank top and necklace, and my chambray button up. I was having a bad hair day, so on went my hat to cover it up. 

My son gave me his "present" he made during school last week... a book mark of him and a coupon for 5 different things including breakfast in bed. This is one of the best presents I have had from him....  

I hope everyone has had a great Mother's Day. I am writing this then going to watch Investigation Discovery, then to bed early. I hope everyone has a fantastic week. Summer is right around the corner.