More Good(will) Deals, 3 Lovely Awards, & Green Smoothie Goodness!

I know I posted about a couple of good deals in yesterday's post, but I found a few more and wanted to share them too! Yesterday, I went to Crystal River with my mom, dad, & my nephew Riley. We went to the movies, ate a yummy lunch at Chili's and made a trip to the Goodwill & Home Depot! The Goodwill in Crystal River is my favorite!!! I came home with  several great deals! First thing I spotted when I walked in the door was a rack of adorable bathroom decorations.

I know I just bought the shower curtain at the Dollar General that I blogged about yesterday, but this one was half the price at $4.99 and it is plastic so I won't have to hem it if I need to shorten it! I'm returning the DG one! If you didn't read yesterday's post, I am using the shower curtain to create a makeshift closet to hide some things behind. Anywho, the colors were perfect for my room.....turquoise, hot pink, orange, and apple green! They had bathroom accessories to match so I bought the cute cup to hold pens and pencils on my desk for $1.99...:)

Too Cute!

I bought this green container to hold flyswatters for our SWAT games we will be playing this year and this brand new set of 3 plastic containers for $1.29 to use in my pantry. 

I got these two books for $3.38....they were a BOGO deal. I love to read and collect good books for my future library! 

I am very excited about these next purchases. I bought 3 tops and two pairs of shoes for school. The tops are all like new and one is new...still had tags, they were $4.27 each! The brands are Pleione which is found at Nordstrom, Lane Bryant, and Westbound Woman from Dillards.  I normally don't buy used shoes, but one pair of these has never been worn and the others look like they may have been worn 2-3 times at most! The brand new ones were Mootsie Tootsie brand! I paid $6.06 per pair and I priced them when I got home. The Mootsie Tootsie sandals cost $40.00 online and the cute little heels were around $24.00 new. I am tickled with these...:)

I also stopped by Home Depot to pick up 5 of these canvas nail aprons that everyone is using for chair pockets in their classrooms. I have other plans for mine...:) Hopefully you will get to see on Monday Made It next week!

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Wow! I feel so special to have been nominated for yet another award! I was nominated by three lovely ladies for the One Lovely Blog award! Thanks so much to Carla from Playful Learning Brooklyn, Mrs. T from Teaching Mrs. T, & Miss Pasqua from Ms. Pasqua's Kinder. Thanks so much ladies....I am honored!

To receive the award you must do these three things.....

~ Follow the person(s) who gave you the award. DONE!

~Link back to the person who gave you the award. DONE!

~Pass this award on to 15 new bloggers! 

So....here are my 15! 

Ashley from Inspire, Dream, Create

Donna from Working 5 to 9....Math & Science

Shasta from The Loop

From the Desk Of.....

Liz from Teaching In the Valley

Karen from Fun Times In Fourth Grade

Heather from Room 4 Imagination

Cindy from Teach With All the Colors of the Wind

Lisa from The Glittery Apple

Sara from Fourth Grade Fanatics

Jessica from Fabulous & Fun 4th Graders

Miss Cayer from Teaching is Love

Sixth & Spectacular

Jane from Hoot-Worthy in First

Jennifer from Darling Little Learners

Congratulations to each of these winners!

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Has anyone else jumped on the green smoothie train? When I first heard of them, I thought they sounded disgusting! I mean who drinks spinach in a smoothie.....YUCK! But, then I read several testimonials of folks who said you absolutely cannot taste the spinach, so I decided to try it. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I dislike spinach.....I don't. I actually love it on a sandwich in place of lettuce, and it's one of my favorite pizza toppings...I'm a meatless white pizza girl and my favorite toppings are cheese, tomato, mushrooms, & spinach......YUM! In a sweet smoothie though? Well, I bit the bullet and made one for myself and my hubby and guess what? They are actually very tasty....and you can't taste the spinach! Healthy and tasty....you can't beat that. Our favorite is Greek yogurt, pineapple (canned in it's own juice), spinach, banana, & a little orange juice. If you can get past the color, you will love them!

Here are the ingredients...I put my pineapple in a jar after I open the can. A good tip I discovered is to slice your bananas, lay them on a cookie sheet and freeze them and then put them in a freezer bag and they won't stick together. Frozen bananas make the smoothie stay cold longer and since they go bad so quickly, this keeps you from having to go to the grocery store more than once a week.

I don't measure anything, but here are the ingredients for one smoothie in the blender. Put a good handful of spinach in!

And....here's the finished product!  What do you think? Are you willing to try a green smoothie? I promise you they are yummy.....and healthy! I plan to drink one every morning on my way to work when school starts! Let me know if you have tried them and what your favorite ingredients are....:)

Be blessed....

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My Teacher Story & a 2nd Versatile Blogger Award!

I'm linking up with Janaye over at Tales of Frogs & Cupcakes for this:

I'm sharing mine and can't wait to read about your teacher stories too! Unlike a lot of you, I didn't go to college after high school. Instead, I got married at the ripe old age of 19 and started a family. I wanted to be a stay at home mom and I was for several years. I had Miranda a week before my first anniversary and Dakota close to 6 years later. When he was old enough to go to pre-k, I decided I wanted to go to school too! I loved volunteering at my daughter's school and decided teaching was the thing for me! I always enjoyed school and I loved teaching my own kids things when they were little. I have also always loved school supplies, creating, crafting, decorating,  and back to school shopping, so I thought I might as well pursue a career in teaching and have the best of both worlds.....doing something I love and having time off with my own kids during holidays, summers, etc. So....when Dakota headed off to preschool, I headed off to college! I graduated at the top of my class 5 years later ! I am entering year 10 of my teaching career, but this is where it started......my first job was teaching in a behavior unit....these were kids that hadn't been successful in a regular class and had been placed in this "special" class. They ranged in age from 3rd-8th grade! This was a very difficult job for a newbie teacher....the range of grade levels, kids with undesirable behavior, and ALL boys! Thank goodness there was only a few of them! Anywho, a few weeks into the school year, my principal called me into his office to tell me he was opening another 3rd grade unit and asked me if I was interested in it. Of course I jumped on it because 3rd grade was where I had interned and the grade level I wanted. It was a huge transition for the kids being moved into my class but fortunately it all worked out. This class was not needed the next year because the numbers dropped, so I was asked to move to 1st grade. This was the grade I had said I never wanted to teach, but I went because I needed a job! I absolutely fell in love with first grade and was there for the next 6 years! There is something about watching firsties grow through the year.....it's amazing! The next year, I was ready for a change so I worked as guidance counselor after the GC at my school was hired as the assistant principal. They were willing to let someone work on their degree while working as GC so I interviewed and got the job. It was.....ok, but my heart was in the classroom. I had been feeling like I was supposed to work with teens, so I talked to the HS principal (we only have 1 HS, 1 middle, and 2 elementary schools) and she hired me to teach biology. That is where I was last year....teaching out of field. I loved the high school students, and was planning to stay and teach English this year, however a new rule kept that from happening. I could not teach out of field a second year. That left me with no time to study for, take & pass the English 9-12 subject area exam, so I am back to elementary! Exhausting I know! I will be teaching 5th grade science this year and am over the moon excited! I think it will be the best of both worlds.....my kiddos will be old enough to tie their shoes and wipe their noses but still sweet and not quite as obsessed with cell phones, drama,  and foul language like high schoolers. Our 5th graders change classes and I loved that part of high school. I am now teaching in the other elementary school in our district which is new for me, but I am really looking forward to this new adventure....:) What's your story? 

Here are a couple pics from my first grade classroom.....:)

My 2nd Versatile Blogger Award!!!

I would like to thank Kelly from Kelly Teach for nominating me for the Versatile Blogger award! Stop by her blog and check it out! Thanks so much Kelly! What an honor to be nominated twice...:) There are some rules for accepting the award.....

~1 Thank the blogger who nominated you and include a link to their site.

~2 Include the award image in your post.

~3 Give 7 random facts about yourself.

~4 Nominate 15 other bloggers for the award and include a link to their site.

~5. Let bloggers know they've been nominated.

On to the 7 random facts! I am trying to put 7 different ones....if you want to see the first 7, click here. 

1. I can't stand to wear socks!  Fortunately I live in Florida and don't have to wear socks often!

2. I have two best friends (Jeana & Shelleen) that have been my best friends for over 20 years!

3. I love, love, love Mexican food!

4. I have a class pet....Teddy Turtle, that I have had for 7 years now! He is a red-eared slider and is so much fun! Even my high-schoolers loved him!

5. I love books and the electronic readers will never replace them as far as I'm concerned! I love the way they look, feel, and smell! I am working on building my own little mini library at home for my hundreds of books!

6. I live in a mobile home.....and we are slowly remodeling it. We bought it new and it is paid off so we decided to remodel it instead of going into debt for a house. If I had tons of money, I would still love to design and build my dream house though! Craftsman style is my absolute favorite house design! 

7. I own a beautiful Hammersley Victorian Violets tea pot that my favorite aunt gave me a few years ago. It belonged to my uncle's mom. I have many other beautiful pieces of china too....but this is my favorite piece! 

I hope those were random enough...:)

Now, on to my 15 nominees....drumroll please!!!

Lyndsey from A Year of Many "Firsts"

Judith from teaching with J

Alana from Special Teaching In the Middle

Courtney from Flocking to Fifth

Kristen from A Day In First Grade

Mrs. D. from Reading With Mrs. D.

Mechele from Barrow's Hodgepodge

Little Miss from My Life as Little Miss.....

Emily from The Science Life

Susan from Thank God It's First Grade

Hilary from Fifth Grade Fancy

Lorena from Little Treasures

Amanda from Reaching For the Top

Donna from Working 5 to 9....Math & Science

Andrea from One Teacher's Take.....is Another's Treasure

Congratulations to each of you! I am in awe of all the AWESOME blogs out there! Stop on by and check them out....you won't be sorry! I'm off to let them know about their award.

Be blessed....:)

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Another Award & Projects Galore!

I am so honored to have been nominated for the

  

award  by Sarah over at Write On, Fourth Grade. Thanks so much Sarah.....:) Be sure to head over there and check out her new blog.....she's a newbie like me!

Here are the rules for the Liebster Award:

~ Link back to the person who gave it to you. (top of post)

~ Post the award to your blog.

~ Give the award to bloggers with less than 200 followers.

~Let the bloggers know they have won.

Here are the blogs I am nominating for this special award!

Annie at Tips & Tricks Teaching

Alyssa at Just a Primary Girl

Emily at The Science Life

Antonia at Forkin 4th

Jennifer at Teaching to Inspire in 5th

Be sure to check out these awesome blogs! Congratulations to all of you lovely ladies!

Today I have been busy creating some things for my new 5th grade classroom! I have been working 

on my teacher toolbox. I will be sharing this and more next week for

Monday Made It. I went with a different toolbox than most of the ones I have seen. 

Here is the one I purchased:

It will be much cuter than this one though...lol! I painted mine white and my colors for the drawers are 

black, hot pink, orange, turquoise, and apple green. I can't wait to finish it! I'm also working on a hall pass sign and clips, my EZ grader stand, pencil buckets, a no name sign with clips, and a wreath for my door. I'm sure I'll come up with some other things to make too! I have a long list of projects to make before school starts! What kinds of classroom projects are you working on? Be sure to link up with Tara for Monday Made It and share all your wonderful creations!

Be blessed...:)

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BTS Shopping Haul & a Blog Award!!!

Imagine my surprise when I got home for a very successful shopping day and found out my blog had received an award!!! I was thrilled! Thank you so much Elise! Be sure to go check out her awesome blog  Hangin' Out In Third Grade. 

Here are the requirements for accepting the award:

1. Thank the blogger who nominated you. 

Again, thank you Elise....:)

2.Include a link to their site.....see above!

3. Include the award image on your blog.....I'll be adding it to my sidebar too!

4. Include 7 random facts about yourself:

~I have been married to my dear hubby, Joey for close to 24 years and we have 2 precious children, Miranda, 22, my serious and sensitive daughter, who is about to graduate from Florida State University with a Bachelor’s in Social Science, and Dakota, 17, my football playing senior who enjoys life more than any other human being I have ever known. 

I am blessed…….:)

~I have never had pierced ears….I know, I know, I see the looks of disbelief and hear the gasps coming out of your mouths…she seriously has never had pierced ears, but the answer is nope, never!

~I don’t like peanut butter or coffee…..more gasps and looks of disbelief….lol!

~I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to shop at thrift stores, yard sales, and consignment shops and search for the perfect little gem to redo, upcycle, breathe new life into, etc. It is a passion...:)

~I am a class sponsor for the Class of 2013, my son’s graduating class. I’m excited about the senior trip planning meeting we are having tonight! Can’t wait to see where we’ll be cruising to next summer…..:)

~My favorite book from childhood was A Bargain for Frances by Russel Hoban You can see it here if you’ve never heard of it.

~I live on the property my grandparents bought oh so many years ago….next door to my sister and mama & daddy.....<3 <3 <3

5. Nominate 15 other blogs for the award....this was really hard! I wanted to nominate all of the ones I checked out!

~I'm Not Your Grandpa, I'm Your Teacher.

~Tips and Tricks Teacher

~Just a Primary Girl

~First Grade at Last

~Mrs. Gilchrist's Class

~One Extra Degree

~The Science Diva

~Fun In Fifth

~Young Teacher Love

~A Time To Share and Create

~Ramblings Of a 5th Grade Teacher

~Shutters and Scribbles

~Life Is Better Messy Anyway

~Teaching Joys

~Fun in Room 4B

6. When nominating, be sure to include a link to their site! See above...:)

7. Let other bloggers know they've been nominated.

 I'm leaving a comment on the most recent post on each of the 15 blogs!

So fun.....:)

I had a fun time doing some school shopping yesterday too! Check out all my loot!

This is what I got at Target....3 orange bins, a clear poly envelope and pencil bag for my plan book,  2 black buckets for pencils (sharp & not sharp), 10 packs of colored pencils, 3 tubes of glow sticks, 2 packs of science flash cards, 3 giant pink clothespins, a book , an owl flower pot which I will paint white and use for something in my craft room, a cute aqua, red, and turquoise card to frame for my craft room, a new hair clip, and an ice trap that makes little round cubes that I hope will fit in a water bottle! Oh...and 3 packs of flash cards for my nephew, Riley!

Ok, this is my 2 thrift store finds...:) I was so excited to get all this for just over $20. First, the $5 light blue Samsonite suitcase is for my daughter, Miranda's travel theme room. Isn't it gorgeous....Tiffany blue with a few flecks of glitter in it, and gold trim....makes me wonder if a young girl was the recipient of this beautiful luggage that was produced in the 1950's. I wonder where all it traveled too...:) Next is a stack of 4 large baskets, brand new for $10....haven't decided what I will be storing in them yet, but for $2.50 each, they were a steal!!! I also got a cute purse, I loved the fabric and it was like new! I might replace the handles on it with something else, but I haven't decided yet! I got the cute cream and orange bag for $3.00....it was brand new with tags too! It is really cute with sequins on the front, it will make a good school bag or beach bag. I got the two games for .25 cents each! The Route 66 game is brand new...never been played! I think I will take it to Tallahassee this weekend when we move Miranda into her new condo and we can play it one night! Last, but not least, are two vintage paintings....one is a kitten, and one is a mouse. The colors were so pretty and they just made me smile, so for >50 cents each, they came home with me and will be matted and framed in white frames to hang in my craft room! I forgot to add one thing to the picture.....a giant encyclopedia of animals for .50 cent!

Next up is my Michael's haul! I got Miranda 2 travel themed photo boxes for just over $1 each! I also got a can of Krylon Global Blue paint for her chair that I am redoing. I got straws and cupcake liners for her graduation party too! I got 28 of the foam brushes.....normally .49 cents each for .07 cents each! I know we'll use these in 5th grade. I got 2 rolls of duct tape for pencil flags, a roll of washi tape......I have been wanting some for a while and it was on sale. Last, I got a cute little notepad to keep in my purse and two packs of the small sheets of scrapbook paper for my teacher toolbox I'm making...:)

This is what I got from The Learning Path....my local teacher store. I got the Dots on Turquoise calendar and numbers, 3 borders, some cut-out science decorations, large cupcakes for birthdays, and some cut-outs to label things with. Oh yeah....and 2 roles of Mavalus tape....if you've never used it, you should try it! It will hold anything and leaves no residue!

And here is the last picture! I took advantage of the Toys R Us sale on Crayola products, buy 1 get 2 free! Awesome deals.....I got 3 packs of construction paper, 6 packs of twistable crayons, and 6 packs of slim markers. The crayons and markers will be in my team tubs to be used for Interactive Science Notebooks. I hope you are finding some good deals this summer! I shop more in the summer than any other time....well, except for my thrift shopping. I do that every chance I get....:) 

Be blessed!

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