Back to School Madness

As I'm getting ready to go back to school (teaching that is!), I haven't had a ton of time to blog but I will update some of this weeks escapades through pictures

Enter the 'End of Summer' Garage Sale.  

I'm hoping to make enough for a new front door.

Something like this....

credit here

But we'll see what I can find.  

Have a wonderful Friday and if you're in Michigan, stop by the sale!

Heather

Sometimes and Always

Linking up with the adorable Megan at Mackey Madness. 


Sometimes: I feel like my summer vacation has not been like a vacation at all.  (grad school, freshmen class meetings, float building, part time work (oh retail...))

Always:  I remember that getting up at 5 am is MUCH worse.

Sometimes: I feel like nothing ever goes my way.

Always: Life seems to cut me a break here and there.  (cue the City of T***** Police Officer who thought I was (rightly) about to burst into tears when he pulled me over for speeding.  After mentioning I was a City of T***** teacher he let me go with a warning.)

Sometimes: I really try to organize my time so I can plan healthy meals and go to the gym.

Always: Its 5 pm and I have a class meeting to go to, food to make and I'm running out the door.

Here's some pictures from our trip to the Toledo Zoo yesterday :)

Isn't this baby elephant adorable?


Have a lovely Tuesday!

Heather

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

I'm loving these new shoes I dyed for $7!

(tutorial and better pictures to come!)

I'm loving that I get to meet the new 9th graders I'll be working with as class advisor tomorrow!

I'm loving that I finally decided on a quote for my new Erin Condren Planner!  It was a close one between this and "Not all who wander are lost"

I'm loving my new gel glue tanks I made (note the Mr. Darcy proposal :) )

(again a tutorial and better pics to come!)

I'm loving that I have awesome friends that help me organize my office (for the most part, it was much worse).

Have a Great Wednesday!

Heather

26 in 26

Linking up with Living in Yellow, I've decided to make a list of 26 things I will do in my 26th year (and since I just turned 26 I have quite a lot of time :) )

1. Run 5 5ks

I really want to work up to a half marathon before I'm 30 (see the 30 before 30 list) so  This is a good way to do it!

2. Finish painting/ decorating my house.

I've only been in it for 3 months and we've (my dad has been helping a lot!) accomplished quite a bit.

These (above) were both from right when I closed on the house, it looks better now :) 

3. Organize my lesson plan binders by unit for school

I've slowly started this, buying a binder per unit to put all of my master copies in and I've been buying tubs to put larger items in.

4. Start a weekly link up on my blog!

When I get enough followers...and figure out how to make a button...of course!

5. Write a manual for class advisors

I've been kind of thrown into this class advisor thing (class of 2016!) and I'd love to help out other teachers who decide to try it for the first time.  

6. Go to the graduation ceremony for finishing my masters!!

7. Enroll in some kind of weekly fitness class

yoga or Zumba perhaps?

8. Try a new recipe a week

I cannot cook and this needs to change!

9. Stick with this healthier lifestyle change

And hopefully see some results!

10.  Take more pictures!

I've realized I can never take enough pictures and I always have my iPhone so why not?!

11. read a book a month this year.

I've already far surpassed that this summer but I seem to let myself get caught up in the school year and never read.  I'm sure I can fit in a book a month.

I just FINALLY finished the Hunger Games (it took me a year to get around to reading them and only two days to finish the series!) and I now need a good series to read....

suggestions?

12. Start an Etsy shop

I already have two eBay shops and occasionally find great vintage things on Etsy.  I've also started to make wreaths and have been dabbling with dye.

Almost done with this wreath (don't have an updated pic) but I will post the tutorial when I'm done :)

Dye and blue elmers glue (tutorial coming)

Recognize the quote?

13. Start a tutorial section on the blog

I've seen so many great ideas on how to set up tutorial sections and I have so many projects I'd love to add.  Maybe 1-2 a month.

14. Start donating free items to animal shelters (again)

There are so many great pet coupons that result in free items, I need to continue doing it and find a new shelter to donate to (since I moved).  Shelters always need newspaper too (to line cages).

15. Go to the Toledo Zoo 

16. Go shopping less

17. Buy and install a new front door.  

You can see the ugly broken screen door (^) and I want to add a teal front door and cute wooden decorative screen 

18. Write more letters

I really want to buy some Erin Condren stationary....and that means I'll need to write to justify it.  

 Ok and some address labels...

19. Folding my laundry. 

It usually just sits in the dryer, for awhile...sometimes until I wear it...

20. Try to keep plants alive.

My hydrangeas are by far not doing great.  Any ideas?

21. Get dressed/ do may hair at least a few times a week in the summer.

22. Pay off debt.  And stay debt free

23. Go to a concert

24.  Finish my 30 in 30 List and maybe make a 101 in 1001 list??

25. Start a vacation fund.

Italy 2014 maybe??

for trip #3 (I really love Italy!)

26. Embrace being 26

I think I've been in denial since 24...

Have a fabulous Tuesday!

Heather

Erin Condren Life Planner

Its finally here!!

My Erin Condren Life Planner!!

And I LOVE it!

I was on the fence about whether to get it for a year or so now but after joining up at erincondren.com on Facebook and Pinterest and seeing all the great pictures I had to have one!

I was so excited to see this box on my porch this morning (don't mind the pink rectangle blocking out my address!).

Even her packaging is adorable!

They throw in lots of extra goodies too!

Gift labels, calling cards and personalized labels.  They have tons of personalized items.

This is the inside cover and a place to write either your contact information or a cute quote (I've seen people do both!)

There are great inspirational quotes throughout!

Different quotes running across the tops of each month at a glance (two pages!)

Blank lined pages to write notes in

Extra blank pages as well

Lots and lots of stickers!!

A folder in the back for cards, notes, bills, etc.

Zippered envelope and more freebie labels!

Just as cute, back cover.

And one last shot of the front!  I love it!

Overall the Erin Condren Life Planner has great two page month at a glance pages (this is the 18 month version!) laminated cover and tabs, inspirational quotes throughout, stickers (blank and labeled) and lots of other extras.  

I've already ordered my teacher planner!

Hope you love yours!

Heather

Sometimes and Always

Linking up with the adorable Megan from Mackey Madness for Sometimes and Always.

Sometimes: I procrastinate until the last minute on my grad school assignments

Always: It still seems to work for me because I work well under a deadline!

Sometimes: I come up with every excuse not to go the gym

Always: I never regret going afterwards.  (Giving myself weekly rewards helps too!)

Sometimes: Grocery shopping at Target never saves me money.

Always: Target has the cutest clothes, so that makes up for it!

(Random Photo dump)

(Sunday's Tigers game.  They won of course)

(Ollie taking a cat nap :) )

Heather

What I'm Loving Wednesday

This is one of my favorite link ups, with Jamie!

(1)

This is my last week with one of my two summer grad classes!  Which means more time to be here

(my parents pool)

(2)

I am going to my second Tigers game of the summer!  I love going to games and I got the tickets for free (even better).

(from the July 4th game)

(3)

I've ordered my Erin Condren planner and I REALLY am hoping it comes this week.

I'm getting the multicolor 

(not mine but you get the idea)

I can't wait to do a review!

I'm back to writing my 20 page exploration project (due at midnight) wish me luck!

Heather

Dear Monday

Dear Grad School classes.... I am so excited to finish one and be back to one class.  Two classes worth of reading, paper writing and portfolio projects is starting to make my summer vacay seem like being back at work.  I'm a little scared to find out what two grad classes plus school will be like in the fall...


Dear Summer.... I LOVE being off of work for the summer...but it is really hard to work up the motivation to mow the lawn when it is 100+ degrees, this is Michigan, we aren't used to this... Also I desperately need to get AC, also hard to clean the house when it is 88 inside, eek.


Dear Target.... I love to do my grocery shopping here but the tempting number of sales/ clothing means I spend more money on non food items than not.  I think it's back to Kroger for a few weeks!


Dear Erin Condren.... I am soooo excited to get my life planner.  I really wish it would update to Printing on my order status because I am stalking it 5 times a day.  I can't wait to put an update when I get it.  So EXCITED!!!


Back to project proposal writing I go!





Heather