Holy Shitballs

Okay, so I figured out why it is I stopped blogging.

#1 - I wasn't writing from the heart... my messed up, topsy turvy, mixed up heart. Everyone is so damn nice in their blogs, so damn cute, Leave-It-To-Beaver-Afternoon-Mother, and cookie cutter styled (and I love it, dammnit... who doesn't want to be that organized and disciplined in their writing and work?) but that really isn't who I am.

#2 - The only thing organized about me are my dreams and my work.

#3 - I'm foul mouthed. Seriously, even now I'm censoring myself and it takes concious effort to do this!

#4 - Style? LMFAO, yeah okay. Grab your sweats and a tank top, hair in a bun... this is the Educator Who Uniform.

#5 - Everyone who features their homes in their blogs... I turn freakin Elphaba from WICKED green with damn envy in my tiny apartment. That I share with my Mr. Who, our two pups (tiny chihuahua rat thing and the 11-month old horse they told me was a boxer), my momma (Gotta think of a blog name for her... hmmm) and now my brother-in-law (again, NAME?!). So home decor stuff thangs... yea not my forte right now... although I have considered added padding to the walls...

#6 - I clean every day.

*by "every day" I mean it... in my head I remember to remind myself 20 times that the living room needs sweeping, dryer needs to be unloaded, trash taken out, dogs bathed....

So this is the real me. All freakin out there, and I want to try to update this more often.

Let's see how this goes!

P.S.- HAPPY 22ND BIRTHDAY, BABY BROTHER! I LOVE YOU!

Back on Track

Well, hello there, Blogosphere! Since my last post in July school has started and the kids are busy in their classrooms learning while I'm here in the office going crazy and drowning in paperwork lol! At least now  that we are 4 weeks in to the new school year I have my bearings and things are getting to be routine again.

I'm okay that Pre-K didn't happen. Wait, don't roll your eyes at me lol! I really am, and its all because of school... I'm really into my classes! I completed my first course (Classroom Management we'll call it) and it felt so good to complete it that I rushed head first into my current class, Educational Psychology. Dragging a bit but it is very interesting!

A typical day for me starts at 5:30am so I can be here at the school to open up and get the day started at 7:30am. Fast-forward to 3:30pm when the kids are gone and the school is silent... except in the Cafeteria where I have my After School Care group of kids Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Alternating Fridays. The other days we have someone that takes over... which frees up my Mondays for our Cares Club which is a club we have for our Middle School kids that gets them involved in the community by fundraising for charities, collecting food, etc. I'm the Staff sponsor I guess it'd be called... I'm really excited about that! Home usually by 7pm, watch TV, do homework, study, etc. then sleep at 9pm. 

See?

Mom moved in with us for a while (I'm trying to convince her to stay indefinitly but we'll see how that goes) and Mr. Who has started at his new career which we are so excited about! 

Alot of changes, bumps in the road, and just trying to keep on a schedule. Hope everyone is as excited as I am that the kids are back (usually after my third coffee lol) and I am having such a good time taking a peek at everyone's blogs... I especially LOVE the "Before & After" posts for classrooms!

BTW... anyone keeping up with the new Doctor on Doctor Who? LOVE. PETER. CAPALDI. OMG. SHIPPING!

Nothing More Than Feelings

For every high there is a low.

Sucks, right?

I started my journey back to school this month with Western Governors University for Interdisciplinary Studies (K-8) and am so damn happy to be back in the classroom (even if it is self-paced and totally online)! It allows me to study on my own time, and has definitely helped me manage my time wiser. WGU has not asked me to write a post on them, nor am I advertising for them, I'm honestly just happy to be working towards my goals and without bettering myself through education they won't manifest themselves! I'll post about that whole journey another time...

But right now I'm struggling, guys. All last school year I prepared for a Pre-K4 classroom that was to be mine for this next school year, taking courses on Coursera about classroom management, diversity, Pre-K lessons, etc. I read almost any Pre-K blog I could find to get a glimpse into what my world would be once the 2014-2015 school year started.

But today I got some bad news (cue Bad News Barrett music):

There won't BE a Pre-K4 Classroom this school year.

Chalk it up to our community being more interested in VPK or 4C accepted schools. I was devastated when the final decision was made, even though I knew we hadn't gotten the kind of interest we needed to make it possible. Throughout the entire year my administration kept supportive of me but always cautioned me with the reality that it may not come to fruition... they never gave me false hope, they were always honest with me about the fact that it may or may not happen, that it depended on enrollment. Still, I am bummed.

I know that what I want to happen and what Christ sees that I need in my life may be two different things, so I have to be patient and not get discouraged. I'm trying guys, I am.

Devious!

How do you legally torture school children before the weekend?

Play this song over and over as they enter the building to start their school day!

Muahahahahahahaha! ::evil/diabolical laugh::

My middle school kids especially get a giggle out of this song, they give a big dramatic groan when they hear it but the giggles that follow soon after ensures that they start their day off with a big smile!

Have the best weekend ever!

Babies!

Okay, so maybe not HUMAN babies, but they are MY babies none the less! I've mentioned our Chihuahua baby, Edgar, but here's a picture of him shortly after we adopted him...

My little alien looking thing... lol I have much cuter pics of him all over my facebook, but I won'y subject you to all that cuteness overload... But here he is in a recent photo, all 5 lbs of him at a little over a year old:

See what I mean? CUTE.

I grew up with a chihuahua named Puchy, who lived to be about 15 years old. I have always wanted another, and my heart melted when we found Edgar at a flea market in South Carolina, all cold as it was January. Mr. Who, who wasn't too keen on the idea of having a "yappy dog" in "his" house (lmao), actually gave in and said if he was going to have to put up with a little runt in the house then he had better look tough at least (lest his manliness be called into question lol) so we chose the only black and tan pup out of the bunch... our Edgar baby <3

But now well over a year later Mr. Who is feeling lonely and was yearning for a big Boxer he could play and do manly stuff with (Edgar is not yappy thanks to great training, but he is my shadow). I had planned on getting him a Boxer pup in October for his birthday, but my aunts had a friend who just had puppies and thought it would be an awesome house-warming gift! So, with my help they surprised Mr. Who with this little guy!

Isn't he the most!? And while yes I mean he's the most cutest thing we've seen in a while (Edgar, mommy and daddy still love you), he's also the most manly, pee-n-poop-filled puppy I have ever dealt with! He loves Mr. Who, way much more than me, let me tell you! 

So this is what my home has been up to, being turned upside down by a little pup who won't be so little a terror in a few months! 

Weeping angels have nothing on this little ball of fire! 

Spring Bulletin Board

Havn't blogged in a while... probably since I have been in a funk lately. I got a bit of help with this months board though! Our Lead Admin had made this pretty sunflower, and when we put it up it looked GREAT! 

Short post today, but enjoy!

SPRING BREAAAAAK!!!

Woot WooooooOOOooT!!!

Forgive me as a take a few seconds to do my happy dance!

:::DANCING-COMMENCES::::

How stoked is everyone for Spring Break?! I know our teacher friends up north will be missing out :( but here in sunny FLORIDA (I may be rubbing in a little... okay... alot!) today is the last day of school and Spring Break begins! I plan on soaking up some sun, margaritas galore, and a few trashy romance novels during this coming week... of course I will be a good girl and study too (grumble) but it will be by the pool with a drink beside me!

Notice anything different?

I spruced up the blog! I even trudged along and made my first ever banner! Like?

I will post all the sunny and warm deets of this upcoming break on my Instagram, check it out and follow along!

xoxo from yours truly,

March CURRENTLY

I feel like I am constantly playing catch up with everything! Am I the only one? I need to learn how to stay motivated and organized but this juggling is driving me bonkers, especially when I drop the ball (which is often, lately). Sigh...

Anyways, here goes my CURRENTLY admission... not much and its pretty straight forward...

And this...

Just 7 school days away!

It's Friday, Friday!

Here's my second Five For Friday, a linky party by Doodle Bug Teaching where you post five random things from today or this past week and on your blog...

#5 - Sicky Sam is not a happy Samantha... I caught the Cold on President's Day and spent the whole day off (and the following days) sick as a sochi dog! Came in to work for 2 hours on Tuesday before I couldn't take anymore and sent myself home! Today is the first day I feel most like myself, thank goodness!

#4 - My apartment is directly beside this beautiful view... I get to see the pool every day and long for it to be just hot enough for me to lay out in the sun and blog form the comfort of the lounge chair!

#3 - Home Sweet Home! We have a long way to go, still quite a few boxes to go through and furniture to buy (yay!), but it's our home and we are feeling so very blessed and happy!

#2 - My CDA workbook and competency Standards came in! My school is so amazing that the Director personally offered to have me reimbursed for half the costs and fees associated with the assessments, including books, etc.! How cool is that!? Also, and this was a big Sob-In-The-Bathroom-Stall-For-2-Minutes-In Happiness Moment, my Dean came by today and told me he recommended me highly to the Principal for a Leadership position for next school year! It really made we swell with pride (Lord forgive me) that all my hard work goes noticed by the Administration. Feeling happy in my career right now <3

#1 - This week (yeah right, this MONTH) has really shown me how far hard work can take you, and that through all the struggle it paid off in His blessings. I am so grateful for wonderful co-workers, administration, family, spouse, and it gives me hope for the coming year.

And that, ladies and gents, is my 5-4-Friday ;)

Yours Truly,

CURRENTLY

Happy Valentine's Week! It is time for February's CURRENTLY by Farley over at Oh' Boy 4th Grade! 

LISTENING - One of the little joys (not even being sarcastic lol) of being the receptionist is that I get to hear the goings on of the school. The pitter patter (screech) of sneakers in the the hallway, the Lunch room madhouse, the teachers running through their lessons. It puts me at ease :)

LOVING - Relaxing at home! We are finally set in our routine and Mr. Who and I are very happy and cozy <3

THINKING - Ordered my CDA Textbooks so I am so eager to get them in the mail and start studying!

WANTING - Trying to find the right dining room set... don't even mind sanding it down and staining it differently, but all the ones I find are butt-ugly and wibbly-wobbly. I'm trying to make a home here, not buy something that's going to break the second we sit down!

NEEDING - Yea, this is my lesson I'm going through right now. I took on more than I should have last month so I felt overwhelmed. I'm learning to cut back and that it is OK to say NO sometimes. It doesn't mean I can't be helpful, it jkust means I can't commit myself to every single project... and that's ok :)

2 TRUTHS/1 FIB - LOL...

TRUTH - Obviously I'm getting my CDA
TRUTH - Obviously I was overwhelmed
FIB - I'm the leader of the nut house it feels like lol

Happy Valentine's Week!

Faith, Trust, and Swear Words

Roadblocks.

Dead-ends.

We all hit them at some point in our lives, some more often than not, unfortunately.

That is what I've been struggling a bit with for the past 9 months or so… one roadblock after the other with only brief periods of relief strewn throughout; Just enough peace to keep Hope alive and Faith intact. If you have been following this blog you’ve been here for the worst of it… then Friday happened…

I received an email about my Staff Credential application… It was denied on the grounds that my credits from  college could not cover the 6 credits needed for early childhood education because they are considered “too broad”.

TOO BROAD. Are you %$#&^ kidding me? Because they encompass early childhood through high school, but do not primarily cover Early Childhood, I am getting denied? BLAAAAH!

My principal and lead administrators have been awesome and encouraging though; I love that about my school, they are always there to lift us up and offer support! So I do what I do best.

I did research.

Called dozens of companies and organizations.

Did more research.

And after making a list and comparing in prices, time investment needed, and general weight of the individual options… I’ve chosen to forego the Staff Credential and go straight for the CDA!

The plan is to earn my National CDA which will cover me for all the requirements of the Staff Credential AND is accepted in all 50 states AND gives me the added benefit of additional experience and knowledge. 

With me going to back to collage this year (Lord willing!) this is a great 1^st step! And remember how I felt unappreciated last week and was a bit down with all the commotion from work, home, and the dogs? My school's Director offered to have them pay for half of the fees associated with earning my CDA, my Mr. Who and I have created somewhat of a routine in our new home, and while we are still working through a few hiccups with the dogs and my friend, things are running a bit smoother.

So next time you reach what you think is a roadblock or dead end, remember that in His plan our plans are laughable and while He may not always give us what we want, He’ll give us what we need and reveal His plan in time. <3

Yours in Space and Time,

If He brings you to it…

He’ll bring you through it.

Oh and He has! After 9 months of not having our own home, of struggling to find work and save for our own apartment and adjust to life here in Orlando, after the toll all the stress has taken on our relationship…  we now have our own apartment!

God is so GOOD!

We moved in about 2 weeks ago (hence the lack of presence on here!) and have just been swamped… that and no internet lol. We found a cute little apartment in the heart of Orlando in a complex that has done a complete 180 from where it was 3 years ago. They have put so much love and care in to the area and it shows! 

We couldn’t be happier <3

Bit of some madness though… during the move my friend went off to Australia to travel for a month and I offered to care for her two big labs. Sweet, playful girls who I had watched in the past with success, hence the offer, they would stay the first week at her place with her roomie while I moved into my new place, then they would come stay with me… but that first Thursday night I get to her house and they are cut up, bleeding and hurt! I immediately called my hero, Mr. Who and he came to help me get the girls to the Emergency Vet… apparently they got into a fight over the garbage that my friend’s roommate had left piled since her departure (I won’t even tell you the fury I held inside for that man). After a night in the ER, stitches and cleaning up, I got to take them home at 3am. 

I took Friday off to stay with the girls to monitor them in their meds. Then that afternoon (no sleep, mind you) when Mr. Who gets home, the girls bump into each other on their way to greet him and FIREWORKS! The big girl started fighting with the older one and I was terrified… I couldn’t get her off of the other! Mr. Who stepped in and stopped it. So this time we could go to their normal vet, get more stitches done and cleaning up, and agreed the best thing to do would be to separate them and get them on the anxiety meds… we believe they are stressed about their momma leaving for so long. By the time I got them home I was delirious with exhaustion after having gone 24 hours no sleep… we got home, kept one in the room with us the other in the living room and slept. Sunday we dropped off the aggressor at my friends house for her sister to care for, and kept the older (and much more wounded girl) to care for since she has more meds and monitoring.

Whew… see what I mean? So much going on.

Work is okay, feeling a bit under-appreciated and overworked… So I cut back on my volunteering to stay later, I leave leftover work for the next day instead of staying after school to do them. I go home… to my Mr. Who, my old girl and my baby chi, Edgar. I make dinner and relax with my honey.

It almost feels like ‘home’ already J

Five For Friday!

I'm just astounded by how many linky parties there are lol... love it though, it helps connect me to so many interesting and creative people and their blogs! 

Trying out Five For Friday, a linky party by Doodle Bug Teaching where you post five random things from today or this past week and on your blog...

#1: Scholastic Book Fair!

This is the first time I'm helping with the set up, and I thought it would be fun to have a theme to go along and get the kids excited! Maybe even generate a bit more cash for the school... So I made up the bulletin board as a Circus theme! The strong man game is the focus, with every $200 earned another balloon will be added to get the kids focused on raising funds for our school library. Now if I could just get some parent volunteers for the photobooth I'm making up for the kids... (pics of that next week!)

#2: Reading!

Actually been trying to read it for about a month but I did a bit of reading this week and can I just say... WOW. What amazing lessons?! This book is by far one of the most inspirational books for teachers I have ever had the pleasure to read! Rafe Esquith is an astounding 5th grade teacher who has been the recipient of numerous awards for his methods of reaching and forever changing the lives of the impoverished immigrant children in the Los Angeles area. The lessons and stories he shares in this book centered around a day at a ball game with some of his students give me hope!

# 3: My IPad Air!

I couldn't take a picture of it but I just got a new case for my new Ipad Air I got over break! It's purple and it swivels and it stands and it's awesome and I love ittttttt! Can you tell my excitement? lol I feel so much more efficient!

#4: The Creepshow Concert!

My tickets for the January 30th show just came in this week! I love this band from Canada and their psychobilly sound! SO.FREAKIN.EXCITED!

#5 NEKROMANTIX!

Month of concerts, I swear lol... Nekromantix plays the night after The CREEPSHOW! love ittttt!

So that's my 5.4.Friday!

Currently

So sleepy! I can hardly keep my eyes open as I write this... My now One year old Chihuahua baby, Edgar is snuggled up beside me in bed, my honey watching his show on Netflix, and my mom is play fighting with my brother. A full house that won't be so full in a couple of months... While the calendar said it was Christmas and for the most part the music had me in the spirit, majority of the winter break was spent in major stress mode.

I moved back here to Florida with my boys (my honey, Mr. Who, and Edgar) from South Carolina in April. We have been staying with my mother and brother while we got settled with steady work, transferred our cars to Florida (which was ridiculously expensive, darn it!) and have been looking for our own place now that our financial situation has leveled out. The stressful part (if moving to a new state, uprooting ourselves from everything we knew to be closer to my family, job hunting, eventually starting new jobs, missing our friends, not to mention missing our independence for a while wasn't stressful enough) came recently when my mother was advised that the condo she rents and we live in was foreclosed on and auctioned off. So now we re all forced to move as soon as possible... Bank reps "just stopping by" during break to verify the unit was still being occupied. Like I said, stressful.

My heart has been heavy but I am still confident that this is all in His plan... I read a morning reflection by Tyler Perry about baby eagles... About God's guidance and support while pushing us out of our contentment, like the eagles from their nest, to our destiny and purpose. Sometimes we get comfortable in the routine, but He always has a plan that tests you and pushes you to your limit and builds you as His child. It really spoke to me and our situation... reminded me to give it up to Him.

So now I am relaxing in bed, like I said. Reflecting here in my blog and giving thanks... I guess Winter's message was "If He brings you to it, He will bring you through it".

Starting to get more into my blogging, and decided to link up to the 'Currently' Linky party from "Oh' Boy 4th Grade" to get me started for the New Year... I promise I'm not as down as I seem, just in a reflective mood tonight! :)

Learning so much about blogging it boggles my mind sometimes lol...

Tomorrow is TGIF!!!

Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Happy Christmas month! Let's be real... the whole month of December seems like Christmas. The music on the radio, the excitement in the school halls, the decorations... the whole world seems to change for a while. We've started changing our bulletin boards to reflect the season, thought I'd post the pictures of my Peanuts Holiday board!

And here's a close up of the Little Sad Christmas Tree... the sign beside it is a quote from the Peanuts character, Linus, and reads, "I never thought it was a bad little tree... maybe it just needs a little love."

Another close up, this time of Snoopy and Woodstock.... I found a cute little image on Pinterest and just recreated it for the board using construction paper and some icicle border we had from years past.

The snow of course is made of cotton balls (a teacher's best friend during the holidays!)

I don't know if anyone reads this, but I'm just happy to have what I feel is going to be an account of my time as a new educator... From receptionist to Aftercare teacher to Pre-K teacher and from there, who knows?!

Hoping your month is starting to brighten with the magic of Christmas,

TURKEY EXCITEMENT!

           I can remember as a child and later as a teenager how excited I was for holidays off from school. The happy-nervous butterflies dancing and partying it up in my tummy, the way everyone's energy was so infectious and bright... I think that was more fun than the actual breaks themselves!
Now as the adult in the room of widespread giddiness, it doesn't give me quite the same charge that it once did, though it does seem to zap it out of you lol. But I'll tell you what, the smiles on my kids faces are well worth the tired nights.

           I haven't shared with you all much about my after care kids... remember that while yes I am the receptionist, I am also the lead After Care (extended day) teacher. While I love being receptionist to this awesome school, I think I prefer After Care! The kids get homework help, additional learning through educational websites like Reading Plus and IXL; they get creative and have fun with Karaoke and Just Dance videos on Youtube... Fridays are movie days. Though this means my days are longer (11 hour days three times a week) and sometimes I'm not in the best of moods, these are my favorite times of the day.

          Today in After Care I rewarded the kids with pizza, trips into the treasure chest, and movies. We watched the new Disney movie, Planes, which my kids loved, and then Rise of the Guardians from Dreamworks. It was the last day of school before Thanksgiving Break, for which we have a full week off, so of course the place was electric with fun! They bought things from the treasure trunk (purchased from Wal-Mart, below)

Mercury Luggage Stackable Storage Locker, 30" @ Wally World!

 with their Shark Dollars; "money" I made with the school crest on different colors of paper to signify values...

(pics coming soon!)

(white = $1, blue = $3, yellow = $5). 

I think I would have preferred the trunk with wheels though... this one was super heavy especially with all the treats and treasures that I put inside before taking it to school... did not anticipate that lol.

BTW, they earn these Shark Dollars by having good behavior in the After Care classroom... we actually use the Clip It! Behavior Chart from one of my favorite blogs, A Cupcake For the Teacher! I use this to focus the children and have them mind themselves... the higher the clip (good) the more shark bucks they get by the end of the day. Every day is a new chance to earn, and seldom do I ever get to Parent Contact. I love it so much for its effectiveness and for it's price... FREEEEE!!!! You know free is gold to a teacher!

           Glad we made it to Friday, and THANKSGIVING BREAK, WOOOO!

Enjoy your breaks, my Wibbly Wobbly, Timey Whimey friends... 

To my fellow Whovians... This Saturday is the day we've been waiting for... The Day of the Doctor episode!!! ::::cries uncontrollably:::: 

Until next time ;)


ALLONSY!

Another Fabulous My Truth Monday!

My Truth Monday is an AWESOME series by Sunny Days in Second Grade, and this week they are asking who my Celebrity Crush is!

This week has been a bit hectic... I might have mentioned that I was asked by our principal if I would like to be the Pre-K Teacher next year, so preparations for that have been under way. Listing things to do, buy, prepare for, study for... so much whirling in my head I have been having trouble sleeping to be honest. But it's all in excitement for what's coming! Not to mention I caught the cold just in time for the Pre-Thanksgiving madness... you know, the brief time before Thanksgiving break (not to mention winter break looming close by!) that the kids just get super excited and have to be reminded 100 times a day to mind themselves? Yea.

Can't believe it's November ALREADY! Didn't we just start school? sheez...

How's everyone else doing during this time?

My Truth Monday!

My Truth Monday is an AWESOME series by Sunny Days in Second Grade, and it has been popping up everywhere! I love it and the only reason I haven't participated sooner is that I'm still getting used to even having a blog lol. 

So here is my first "Truth"!

I am so looking forward to doing this for many Mondays to come!

Bulletin Board Time!

One of the things I absolutely LOVE to do as the receptionist, is to change up the board in the lobby. I think of it as the first impression  of our school, so I like to really have fun with them!

Yours In Space & Time,

Movin' On Up!

WOW.

Can I just take a second to adjust?

I came to Florida with no job prospects, medical debt, and a huge car payment each month. All I had was a passion for education and a need to return to school... I started nanny-ing and taking odd jobs to make ends meet while I searched for a position in education, so my days were hectic and long.

Fast forward 5 months and I'm overwhelmed by the Lord's blessings! I am employed in a FANTASTIC Charter school that really is focused on the learning going on in the classrooms, great supportive administration, and wonderfully bright kids! As the Receptionist, I greet the children each morning, answer general questions from the parents, encourage meetings between them and the teachers, and play a supportive role in the school. As well as reception, I lead the Before and After Care also known as Extended Day. Its a long day for me 3 days a week (A Paraprofessional takes Tuesdays and Thursday's for me for After Care... thank goodness!), but the money is very much welcome and I LOVE my job!

Then yesterday my principal asks me if I would consider being a Pre-K teacher next school year!

Um.... YES!

What kind of Whovian would I be if I shied away from a new adventure where I may fail miserably and fall flat on my face?! So of course I have been cruising through Pre-K to 3rd grade blogs to get a feel for what works for other teachers and can I just say KUDOS to the blogs I found? Amazingly creative, great for all learning types, and fun lessons built by these phenomenal men and women that I just can not wait to try! And some even recommend books (which I will start reading straight away) of different teaching styles and ideas.

I just wanted to share with you the blessings I've earned recently. Just goes to show that if you are going through trials, just remember that Seasons change... and your time will come!

Yours Timelessly,

Educator Who