More of the Same

 What a crazy year 2020 gave the world. 

There was a shutdown where everyone was in quarantine because of a pandemic. My excitement over my new job was short lived. 

I spent the summer swimming and walking daily. I also was job searching because my new job was only for the remainder of the school year which was pretty frustrating. 

Fall weather was very warm and quite wonderful! 

The holidays came and we were told to stay home so the spread of COVID would lessen. For the first time I cooked two holiday meals. The season is about family and friends and this year was a quiet one. 

The new year began and people were so happy to say goodbye to 2020.

There is a long way still to go but I am hoping that 2021 will bring on better things for all. 

Oh, and GO BILLS! 

Here's the Proof

Here is a screen shot of the number of posts I had prior to the Blog Post Deletion. It makes me SO SAD (and a little mad at myself, too)!

The Reading and Literacy post total is over 50. Oh, the humanity!

What Was I Thinking?

It has been a stressful school year. I will not take the time today to write about it.. maybe someday... 

Anyway, I think the stress and lack of sleep has been effecting me because the other day I DELETED MY WHOLE BLOG! 

It pretty much looked like this: 

  

I went and did what any tech savvy person would do... 

I googled "How to recover deleted blog posts?" and was lucky to find these tips: 

Blogger Tips & Tricks - Recover-accidentally-deleted-posts 

Thankfully I have found some of my posts using these tips. I am slowly re-posting my favorites. It is interesting to go and see some of my posts and think "Yeah, I do not want to repost that."

I have not blogged since January. However, I did start this blog as a grad school project and have been posting on it for a long time. The MOST frustrating part is I do go back in my reading posts for ideas and to lose ALL THOSE POSTS is real kick in the pants. 

I am trying to stay positive and remember one good thing which is the photos are all saved in google, so that is something! 

I admit I have been using Instastories a lot more than blogging the past five months. Another positive.. no posts to recover from the past five months. 

So if my blog looks to be missing something.... well.. it is! 

I guess I have one summer project, now. Other than reading and sitting by the pool decompressing from this year! 

Happy Reading 

Happy New Year !

I am happy to start a new year!

I have to say 2017 was a tough year for me for a lot of reasons. I was working in a job I loved, teaching reading all day - my dream job! Then February came and I had a health scare. This health issue created other concerns, so it has been a challenge health wise. I also had a car accident in June and then I was in a walking boot in September. With all of  these things, I would do my laps at the Y pool when I could. Being in the water helped with my stress. I love swimming! 

My job ended and I was unemployed at the beginning of the school year. I was lucky enough to be called for some interviews and I was hired for a part time position. My new job is different and now I am challenged in many ways. Learning common core math has been a daily struggle. I miss my friends from the past two years and I miss teaching reading all day. 

December came and some of the sweet students gave me gifts. I also did a secret Santa hoping to give myself a lift since work is stressful. Here is what I got from my Secret Santa:

Coffee = Happiness 

When December arrived I was happy to know I would have a week off to decompress and relax. I had a medical procedure where I had mostly good news. I spent time napping and reading. I was thrilled this crazy year was ending. 

2017 wasn't all bad! I went on two vacations. I taught some great kids to love reading. I enjoyed a relaxing summer, spent time with friends, and learned more about me. With all these joyous days, I am happy to see a new year begin. 

Here's hoping 2018 will be better than last year! 
Happy New Year everyone!
Happy Reading, too! 

Snow Day!

WOO HOO!! 
First one of the season.. the earliest I can remember! 

I wonder what I will do with myself today! ; )

13 in 13 List

It is time to remember the past year and think about a goal for 2014! Here you go: 

13. Favorite article of clothing: 

My Loft Jeans 

Yes, this is me! 

I use to cut my head off blog photos.

 I also used to blog about my outfits. 

 I love this top, too (also from Loft) !! 

 12. Favorite movie you watched: 

 11. Favorite TV series:

 Dancing with the Stars. 

 10. Favorite restaurant: 

 MMMM… Carrabba’s 

 9. Favorite new thing you tried: 

 I have been eating fresh spinach salads. 

 Prior to this year I had never tried spinach! 

 8. Favorite gift you got: 

 Spa Gift Card from my sweet husband. 

 7. Favorite pin: 

 6. Favorite blog post:

Click here: 
       Favorite Blog Post   

 It was full of random ideas, 
but I remember feeling so happy during that time. 

 5. Best accomplishment: 

Being published in the Mailbox Magazine 

 4. Favorite picture: 

  My Mom and me at the Memorial Day parade 

 3. Favorite memory: 

 One of the second graders from last year called me a rock star. 
He made me the sweetest card at the end of the year.

 I read it whenever I feel low. 

 2. Goal for 2014: 

 Trust in God’s plan. 

 (This is SO HARD for me.) 

 1. One Little Word:

 Laugh 

Happy Reading!

Weekend Rundown

The summer weather arrived and I am so happy! It hit 90 here today. I was outside all day and it was HOT, but I love the sun! 

Friday: Concert! Brad Paisley!! I was sitting. I was dead center!  At one point he came into the audience and was right behind me. It was exciting!

Saturday:  POOL SIDE !! 

Sunday: Our local "Taste!" It's a huge food fest! I ate too much, but it was GREAT !

Happy Summer!

Happy Reading!

Almost Done!

Non-teaching notes: 

I did an outdoor spin at my gym to support the local cancer research hospital. There is a huge bike ride in a few weeks and every year my gym drags the spin bikes outside to raise money in honor of the bike ride. Here is a pick of me during the ride: 

I went to an art festival with the husband. After three days of rain the sunshine was wonderful!

Well, here is what I enjoyed this weekend:

Almost done! 

Happy Reading!

Happy Birthday!

MARCH 13, 2013

A Great Day !

Today I took a half day. Before I left I celebrated my birthday with my students and shared ice cream cups with them. I told my students I was 29 again. LOL 

The hubs and I went to a movie. It was a nice midweek treat! 

We went to dinner and I had a little of this: 

Then we went to Barnes and Nobles for some browsing and a caramel macchiato to have with some of this: 

It was a nice birthday with fun messages from family and friends. 

Happy Reading!! 

I'm on Break!

We celebrated the 100th day last week with classroom rotations. I played "Roll to 100" with various 2nd grade groups. The idea was on a blog I follow and I wish I could thank the person, but I don't remember who it was.  (That is just how my year had been with a new grade level and taking over for a teacher in October!)

Valentine's Day was a whirlwind. We did edible math and a parent came in to make a craft.  I still have not mastered the classroom party! It just seemed smoother with 4th graders. I have another one on March 17th - so if anyone has any ideas, let me know!

One kido gave me this:

 

MMMM... Chocolate! 

If you are on a break this week! Enjoy!

Happy Reading! 

It's January !

I went for a ride today with my husband to a part of town we have never visited. 

While we were there, we saw a new development of houses and we decided to check out the houses. I said "I have found my future home". I just thought it was great that my first name is a street name. LOL.

Hope everyone is enjoying the new year! I have had a busy three weeks of school. Nothing too exciting to report and no good pictures. Maybe, next time!

Happy Reading!

Reflection: 12 for 12

It's time to reflect on the year! A lot of people have been doing this for awhile. Here are 12 of my favorite things: 

 12. Favorite movie you watched: 
        The Hunger Games                 

 11. Favorite TV series: 
        Big Bang Theory

 10. Favorite restaurant: 
        Carrabba's

 9. Favorite new thing you tried: 
      This is a toughie! I tried a new class at the gym and its great, but I would not say it's my favorite new thing. LOL. How about teaching second graders? I love it, it's new, and I hope it continues!      

 8. Favorite gift you got:  This is from my Mom. It's a pen that is suppose to write for seven years, but even better is the saying because she always calls me the Grammar Police! 

      
      

 












7. Favorite Blog Post: I cant pick just one! 6. Favorite thing you pinned:  

  
     

  













5.  Best accomplishment: 
     Getting my current job which I LOVE !! 

 4. Favorite picture:  Waiting for JETS camp to start !

      
     
3. Favorite memory: 
     Being in California and Disney with my DH 

2. Goal for 2013: 
    Continue at my current school. We will see what happens. 

1.. One Little Word:
     Hope

DECEMBER 26, 2012

Holly Bloggy Christmas

It's time to blog about our Bloggy Exchange!

              

I was so excited when my box arrived in the mail! I just LOVE what was given to me for this exchange!

Here are a few pictures:

My love of teaching reading made this binder the perfect gift. There were different ideas included inside!

 Here is one page which I think is awesome! I love the suggestion for using white labels to write notes about each student! How great is that!

What teacher doesn't love sharpies and flairs? I cant wait to use them!
Thanks to Rachelle from What the Teacher Wants

Happy Reading! 

FOOTBALL ... J-E-T-S !!

Guess what I did this weekend????

That's right - My sweet husband and I went to Cortland, NY to watch the JETS at a training session.

We spent Saturday evening in Syracuse eating at a delicious Italian restaurant called "Spaghetti Warehouse" and then went shopping! Then we woke up VERY early to head to Cortland. 

If you know me, you know I love football, and I love those NY JETS !! 

All three quarterbacks practicing drills at the same time - HEAVENLY !

 

I wish I could have been this close to Sanchez and Tebow!!!! 

 

WOO HOO - QUARTERBACKS !! 

 

It was so neat seeing all the different plays and drills! 

One last quick picture before we (well, me - since my DH HATES thruway driving)  drove back home! 

All About Me

Everyone is sharing facts about themselves. 
Here are some facts about me:

I could go to Disney World and Epcot EVERY YEAR and always find something new and exciting to do there!   I must admit that I have been there 10 times. My first visit was when I was six ! 

I went to NYC for the first time when I was 35 with my husband. We went back once since then and I would LOVE to go again! If it was not so expensive, I would live there! 

I LOVE STARBUCKS. I would go there everyday if I could afford it! 

I love football! I am a JETS fan even though I live on the opposite side of  the state. I still root for my home team, but when they play THE JETS, I secretly hope my JETS win! 

I love cake. I have eaten it for breakfast... SHHHH! I have such a sweet tooth. I have keep sweets out of the house! It's a good thing I also like salads and veggies, but I find it impossible to turn down cake!

If I am not watching football, I am watching Nascar. I became a fan when I was living in Florida. No one calls me on a Sunday b/c they know I won't answer the phone when my sports are on the TV. My Hubby thinks it's funny that I know more about sports than he does. Oh - I also like hockey!

I was a classroom teacher for 8 years. When I married, I began subbing with the hopes of working in a public school district. I have been a substitute teacher for a LONG time. I worked for a year as a reading specialist and it was my dream job. I just don't know if I can sub again this year. I did it last year and it made me very depressed. The thing is I love all things teaching and it is truly my passion. I keep praying this will be my year to be back in the classroom because if I don't get a job I just don't know what I am going to do !    

I love shoes! What girl doesn't? I also love the color purple. I just bought a pair of light purple pants and I cant wait to wear them this fall! 


I hope you enjoyed learning a little more about me!

Happy Reading !

Thoughts

I sat back today and thought about the "BIG" things that happened in my 30's. Here's the list:

1. I married my wonderful husband!
2. I went to Bermuda.
3. I quit my 4th grade teaching job.
4. I started subbing in public school.
5. I went to Las Vegas.
6. I went to NYC.
7. I was hired as a reading teacher - DREAM JOB!
8. I went to Disney
9. I went back to subbing b/c of budgets cuts.
10. The hubs and I booked a return trip to Disney because we had so much fun last year.

So.... now I am 40.

I am a teacher without a classroom. I love teaching. I miss having my own room. I am praying for job dust. I also need something else to work for because teaching jobs here are quite scarce!

I need a bucket list for my 40's.

My Dad told me his 40's were great. I am hoping for the same thing! Anyone want to give me some bucket list ideas??

I do have London on my bucket list... It's been there for awhile. I have been saving to go. I am looking for some other ideas.

Happy Birthday!

MARCH 13, 2012

Happy Birthday to Me !! 

I am 40 today !