Sunday, December 26, 2010

Merry Christmas

I had a fabulous Christmas! For the last 10 years, it has been Christmas at the Cutlers. The Cutlers have been wonderful to me. I love that they welcome everyone at Christmas as family. I love seeing their kids and grandkids. You can see the love - allover! I love their traditions.
It only makes me a twinge sad thinking of how my family could be.
Now, all I wish is that I would have taken more pictures!!! :)

Sunday, December 12, 2010

New Project: Family History


I love family history. I have been researching my family tree for years. Yet, in researching, I find that I have a lot of names, relationships and dates. Nothing about that person. So, this is my new project: family history with history. So, i will start with my parents, and work backwards........ here I go!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Feeling Crafty

Maybe it is the Christmas spirit, or just the time off for Thanksgiving, but I am feeling my crafty side taking over me. So, these are some of the crafty things I am planning on making:
Turkeys for thanksgiving!

Thanks to theidearoom.net for the idea!
I love these reindeer pops for Christmas as well:

Plus, I am excited to get started on Christmas gifts! Happy Crafting to all of my blogging friends!!!
P:)

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!


Its time for my annual thankful blog.....
I am so happy to have a job that I LOVE. I mean it - I love it!
I recently moved, and my new place comes with a private bathroom and a walk in closet - both of which I have never had. I LOVE THEM BOTH!!!
I am grateful for visiting teaching. I have just been assigned a new partner - who is incredibly sweet. I also have a new visiting teacher - who totally lifted my spirits on Sunday.
I love today's technology! I mean, I have always been a little behind the times... but I love my cell phone, my digital camera and blogging!
I am grateful for my family. I learn so much from them!
I am grateful for great friends - to make life fun!!!
I am grateful to be single and to have like a new crush every other day!
I am grateful for my freedom - and to live in a world where anyone can do anything that they put their mind to doing.
I am grateful for repentence and forgiveness... because lets face it - I screw up.. :)
Lets just face it - Life is Good!
Happy Thanksgiving!!! Gobble, gobble, gobble :)

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Long time no blog.....

I have not blogged for a little bit.... I blame it on adjusting to teaching. I love it! I am amazed at how much time I need to prepare...... I am grateful for:
1. An amazing Kindergarten teacher next door. Seriously, she helps me sooooo much!
2. A principal who is not only a fabulous principal - but also super supportive.
3. The internet - can I just say that I do not know how teachers taught without the internet at their fingertips??? I love www.kellyskindergarten.com, www.prekinders.com.
4. I have a super class! There are a few behavior problems, but really, they are great!!!
5. A super PTA. Seriously- they are wonderful. They created a school wide behavior plan - which is common among teachers - pulling cards. The great part is that they made a chart for every class. This saved me as a new teacher with practically nothing prepared when I started.

So, I am asking for some help.... I collect box tops. Any box tops would be appreciated. :) I could also use your old magazines.

Living the dream is harder than it seems... :)

Friday, October 1, 2010

The Promised Land


Yes - it has finally happened! I have reached the promised land! I have been hired by Jackling Elementary to teach kindergarten. Ahhh! I love it!!!! I was offered the position on Friday and started teaching last Monday. Crazy fast, huh? I just think it is a great school, with such supportive staff, and I love, love, love it! I have been so busy this first week - and I am so proud of how I have pulled things together! This is my promised land - it will take a lot of work - but it is soooo worth it!!!!

Monday, August 23, 2010

Freecycle.com is my new bff... well maybe not b ff but gff....

Last year, in getting ready for girls camp, I needed a lot of #7 tin cans. So, I found freecycle.com. It is a website where you sign up to get emails of people wanting to get rid of something or looking for something for free. So, I got my cans, but I still get emails of people getting rid of stuff. This last month, I totally lucked out....
I was given a set of China and a buffet table - and I love both! Totally free! Love it!!!

Meet my friend....:)





This summer, most of my days have been spent with L [identity protected]. She has cerebral palsy and I take care of her during the day. We have had a few adventures, spent time and the park and the pool. I have grown to just love her and her personality! Like the things that make her laugh - usually silly stuff, but sometimes it is something is ironic - or even when something bad happens.

I wish I had a picture of us dancing - because that had become one thing that she laughs hysterically at! It is more like ring around the rosie - but she loves it - and I love to make her laugh!

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Summer, summer, summertime.....

Life has been going by so fast, and I have not blogged for a while. So here is my summertime in a nutshell....
Vegas
Considering moving home to PA.....
Romance....
Breakup and dissappointment.....
Totally committing to moving home to PA......
Moving..... to a new apartment.... but still in Utah {yeah, I am staying.}
Moving......
Moving......
Work...........
Interview..... Rejection......Interview...... rejection.....
Unpacking...........
Interview.... Rejection.... total devastation......really moving back home to PA this time......
Oops, I am staying in Utah......
Really.
School starts again... summer is closing..... some love interests appear.... and who knows how the summer will end....:)))

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

See the world!




I have to admit that I have been amazed by seeing some of the hotels on the strip in Las Vegas! Wow! Venice and the gondolas, Paris and the Eiffel tower, Egypt, New York, Rome, The Carribean..... there is just so much to see.... my favorite has been the Eiffel Tower.
I LOVED the waters at the Bellagio! How cool - it was like a fireworks show with water! Awesome!

Viva Las Vegas!!!!

When my roomie told me she was going to Vegas for Memorial Day Weekend, my first thought was - Have fun! When she invited me along for the practically free trip - I said count me in!!!
I mean who could resist staying in a castle?

With these two ladies....

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

My Sister


I was lucky enough to have my oldest sister, Shelly, visit in March. So here's the explanation. Shelly is 9 years older than me. She is the world's greatest sister! Well, she bore more from the family dysfunction than me. She found herself pregnant at only 16. I have always admired the fact that she had the courage to give her baby up for adoption. I have alway wondered what happened to the little boy. Well, when he contacted my sister last year, I found out that he lives in Spanish Fork, UT. Yes, here in UTAH!!!!

Shelly has loved every minute that she has been able to spend with him since she was reunited with him last May. So, she took the trip to Utah!

Its an amazing gift to have a sister. We talked and talked and talked. Then, I finally met my nephew, Noah! So cool to have met my long lost nephew AND have a family member in the state!!!!

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Favorite show


I have fallen in love with a new show. Make it or Break it is a show about teenage girls who are olympic level gymnasts. It is on the ABC family channel, or if you are like me and do not get cable, you can watch it on HULU. Sometimes you just need some teenage drama in your life, eh?

32!





It is so easy to let birthdays get you down as you get older. I refused to do so this year. So, instead of thinking of the things that I feel I should have by this time of my life - I am going to be thankful for all the things I have experienced.... and done... and loved...
I am so grateful to have kept working and earned my Bachelor's Degree... and my teaching certificate.....
to have left home and found my own road in life
to have good friends who accept me for me
to have the opportunity to work with such great kiddos... and then be able to hand them over to mommy!
To have associations with amazing men and women who inspire me!
To be able to have trials that teach me so much.
To be able to live on such a beautiful planet, in a beautiful state, in a fun home where everyone is single.
To celebrate my life, I had a little shindig at home... and had so much fun! Included in the nights festivities, a game of kiss the frog - which is pin the tail on the donkey... just with pinning kisses on a frog. I think I proved my kissing skills by winning the game!
Happy Birthday to me!!!!!

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Substituting

I have been substitute teaching, in hopes that it will help me find a teaching position. It can be, well, interesting to say the least. I sub in Salt Lake, Granite and Canyons Districts to stay busy. I have even started subbing in the dreaded middle school.
Last week I was in a fourth grade class. I was up at the board when I student saw a mouse. Now, if you know me, you know that I am terrified of mice. Terrified. I kept my cool - like a good teacher should, and kept the class calm. Then, they saw the mouse head to the back of the classroom. I told them to just ignore the mouse. Then, it headed to the area of the teacher's desk, where my purse laid on the floor. The students laughed and said that the mouse crawled in my purse (uckkkkkkkk! I mean how gross!) I do not think that the mouse actually crawled in my purse - I think they said that to be funny. Needless to say, it did take me a while to actually pick my purse up to check! Oh, so much fun!

5 Dollar Deals

I have some friends that are couponers. They find the greatest deals, then post them. I love it! I am not that talented myself. My talent is one hit wonders! I find great deals - on the clearance rack, DI or yard sales. I am just as proud - so I thought I would show some off..... (cause everyone takes pictures of their finds now days!)
All of these were $5.00 or under.......
I discovered Scentsy for myself at a yardsale. I got the complete package: a candle warmer, the plug in one and five scents. MMmmmmmm.....


My latest find is this wreath at Pier One Imports. In just under the five dollar mark at $4.98. ( Not bad for being $49.98 to begin with!)


Yes, it is sad that they are one hit wonders, so all of you bargain hunters out there - I say to you: na na na na boo boo!

Monday, February 15, 2010

Happy Valentine's Day!


I love Valentine's Day! This year was no exception! My Ward had a dinner on Saturday night - and it was fabulous. It gave me an excuse to totally dress up - which I LOVE! There was a string quartet and a great musical number too!


Sunday brought renewed strength ( I am finally getting over the flu - and it only took 3 weeks!!!!) So, I made chocolate covered strawberries for the women I visit teach and cupcakes for a friend. I turned the strawberries into a cute arrangement:

This year, I used a craft blog or inspiration and made this:



to add to my Valentine's decorations. I love the V- Day decorations!

Thursday, February 4, 2010

A Commentary on Dating in Utah


So, I am not a big fan - but I caught an episode of The Bachelor the other night. I have to admit - it made me laugh - because it reminded me of dating in Utah. 25 girls with not so high achievements - but all beautiful chasing after one amazing man with eternal commitments on the brain. Dating is elaborate, but utlimately, only one will get the ring.....
just my thought on the subject :)

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

blah, blah, blah

So, if January is the month for the blah's - I sure have them. So - to followup on my previous post, here is how the running is going: nowhere. In fact, the week after I started running, I stopped - only because I got so sick that breathing became a chore. I have been sick now for almost 3 weeks. Blah!! It gets kind of hard to teach while sick, making life even harder.

I have been substituting. This week - Middle school. BLAH! I have never had a desire to go back. It was interesting to see how different middle school is. Like, hello! every kid has a cell phone! Not your hand me down variety either. They want to do their work while listening to their i pods. Really?

So, I babysit for an amazing woman. I have said this before. She is single, has a career, and has now adopted 4 children through utah foster care. Now, she is signing up to be a foster parent again. She amazes me!

ah, as always, more to come:)

Monday, January 18, 2010

Run, Peggy, Run!


My new goal is to become a runner. What? Me, a runner? You are talking to a girl who was tormented as a child, for not being able to run very fast. I could barely run the mile in high school. I have always wanted to be able to run - so I am going to do it. Starting today. I will run 5 days a week - and I know I will get better. I started today with seeing how long I could run continuously. Woohoo - I went 1/4 of a mile. So, I alternated walking and running every 1/4 mile. It actually felt pretty good! Great! My challenge has begun. So, what can you do to support me? Come run with me!

Friday, January 1, 2010

Happy New Year

2010
Twenty –Ten
This is gonna be Big. I mean it! A fabulous year!
Oh, I guess I could recap 2009- but only the positive stuff.
*I earned my teaching Certificate – Officially Licensed (in the State of Utah). Really! Me. Legal and all. So- I am a teacher. Snaps – It felt incredible!!!!!
*Girls Camp- I did it – I successfully planned and executed a girl’s camp and had a fabulous time! I was super crafty and everything.
* I met a fabulous family – I babysit for them! I love them so much!
*After my brief spout of homelessness, and the generosity of those who let me stay with them- I am now in a great home, and I love it.
* The year that I lost 60 lbs. and thus loose my pants in awkward situations.
So, 2009 was not what I had expected – but I learned a lot. Kind of glad it’s over though!


Twenty Ten
The year that I get my first teaching job.
The year that I totally become an awesome teacher.
The year that I loose 100 lbs and officially become Hot.
The year that I earn my Masters of Education. (I think I could finish this year – but it will most likely 2011.
The year that I meet the super hot guy – and totally turn into a world class kisser.
The year that I learn how to take care of and fix my car – and make my car a true driving machine.
The year that I become a true chef, with mad cooking skills.
The year that I get a passport and actually leave the country.
The year that I become a real photographer, assuming that I remember to keep the batteries charged.
The year that I write my first LDS Romance Novel.

It is going to be an Amazing year!