Merry Christmas to me

I have to say thank you for all of my Christmas gifts... here are just a few.
See, we have this joke in my family. I am the lucky one, because my dad hates to spend money on shipping. So, while everyone else gets a hand chosen gift from wal mart from Dad, I get a check. So this is what you bought me dad: [I love it!] I was wise in spending the money. I doubled the value by buying a groupon to Nordstrom rack. This is where I spoiled myself with gifts from Philosophy. A skincare set with cleanser, moisturizer and eye cream (trust me - I need the eye cream. I mean the song says " I get lost in your eyes" NOT "I get lost in the bags under your eyes!") I love their bubble bath as well - and I LLLOOOVVVVEEEE bubblebaths........
Don't worry Dad - I did not blow all the money on girlly things.... I also got an oil change. I put the rest of the money in my 72 hour kit. (I thought you would like that!) :)
Santa made a secret visit this year as well. Not THE Santa, but my Santa. This clever santa, who has great taste, has kept his/her identity hidden for the past 10 years! Well, like THE Santa, has a huge heart, and I love him/her with all my heart! Santa gave me a cute change purse with the letter P on front - I love the letter P! :)
I was given a gift card from my boss at my cute maid, which I am totally excited to use - from Cameo College. OOOhhh, more pampering.......
Then, the cutlers gave me a gift card for school clothes...... which is totally spoiling me, since I have not allowed myself to look at clothes for months......
I was surprised with a bottle of PINK splash from Victoria's Secret..... OMG I love it... I have to keep myself from just randomly spraying it!
Melinda gave me a sushi set..... ooohhh, fun! But, do I trust myself to actually make sushi.... or consume sushi that I made?????
My sister and mom surprised me with a package...... filled with old family photos. A collection that has been lost for like 10 years. Plus scrapbooking stuff to go with it. (Did I ever mention that my lil sister, Susan, is like the scrapbooking queen?)
Ohhhh, merry Christmas! I had so much fun this year! I hope you did too....:)

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!!! :)

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!

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 :)

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... :)

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!!!!