Hello Monday

Hello new week...

I had busy weekend around the house...

blessed sunshine made an appearance...

so my energy was flowing!

Hello new kitchen curtains...

cleaning lead to realizing our old curtains 

were badly sun damaged...

so I took them down, but had very little cash to replace them...

off to the thrift store I went...

$2.98 later I had a plain white sheet and a plan.

Four valances later I love the fresh new look!

Hello spring cleaning...

reorganizing my pantry and spice cabinet...

so much better!

 

Hello fabric...

cut fabric for three new bags...

should be able to work on them after school this week. 

Hello real food cooking...

loving the veggies and flavors this weekend.

Homemade broccoli beef is yummy!

 

Hello birthday week...

the big kid is going to be 15!

Holy smokes, how did that happen so fast?!?

Hello back to school...

a three day weekend for me has me refreshed

and my eyes looking and feeling so much better!

Hello new week...

I hope you all have a great one!!

 Until next time,

Joining with Lisa for Hello Monday!

Happy Friday

Hello!  Happy Friday to you!

It's been another good week,

 minus the itchy red eyes...

ya, so the steroids did not knock out the problem.

Hoping a visit today will figure out 

a better solution to my wacky immune system!

I saw a mama with three stair step boys

while I was out the other day...

they were so little and she was so tired,

but it put a smile on my face as memories of my

 little boys rushed back to me.

I love who they are now, but I do miss the little guy years too!

My class was a little wacky this week.

Thank you three day weekend aftermath...

oh well, I buckled down and we all did better.

Not much sewing in the cards this week...

one taggie blankie done and one half way...

I really want to get a couple of hobo bags done this weekend.

We will see, not much on the agenda, so it should be doable!

How was your week...

everyone surviving their crazy weather too?

I hope you all have a great weekend!

Until next time,

Joining up with Miss Casey

Hello Monday {holiday}

Hello Monday...

so glad we have an extra day off...

every year I learn more about MLK Jr.

when I do lessons with my class.

How amazing is it that things he fought for

have never been issues for these little people.

We've come so far and

yet we still have a long way to go...

Hello busy days...

took lots of product photos 

and did lots of editing to get them ready 

for the shop site.

Hello more to do today...

four more sets of burp cloths coming up.

Hello job application...

I finally got my application finished for

the other school district...

resume is up next...

so exciting and scary at the same time!

Hello ants...

invaders of my kitchen...

I wish I could figure out how to get rid of them permanently!

Hello new week!

I hope it's a great one!

Until next time,

Joining Miss Lisa for Hello Monday

Shop Update

I just added a bunch of hooded baby towels and burp cloths to the shop...

perfect for a baby shower gift!

While you're there do a little shopping for yourself and pick up a cute

pouch to help out with those organizing resolutions!

Have fun!

Until next time,

Coffee Date

If we were having a coffee date...

I'd tell you I had a good week!

If we were having coffee...

 I'd tell you I finished the steroids for the crazy immune system issue

and lived to tell about it.

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you when you start a new medication

you get everyone else's horror stories about said medication.

Not cool.

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you when I am on the computer working

my family thinks that is the perfect time to come have

long conversations...

like moths drawn to flames I tell you.

It makes it so hard to stay focused.

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you I had to give a presentation to the other teachers Wednesday

and sit in a meeting with a whole bunch of educators Thursday.

Being with adults is harder on me than being with kids.

If we were having coffee...

  I'd tell you I didn't get all the sewing done I wanted this week,

but a three day weekend should solve that problem.

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you I get to meet a bloggy buddy in real life this weekend.

I can't wait to hug her!

If we were having coffee...

You would get a big hug and 

 I'd say your turn!  

Catch me up on you!

Until next time,

 Joining up with Alissa

Joining up with Casey

{teaching}

Thank goodness right?!?

By Thursday in the classroom you see teachers running a little thin...

tired, frustrated, worried, pushing.

Trying to get everything done for this week 

and planning for next week...

The cycle continues

week after week.

Then great things happen...

light bulbs go on...

whole classes are successful on the latest test.

Smiles and cheers fill the classroom.

That's what it is all about...

getting little people excited about learning 

and thinking.

So grateful for the changes happening in education...

kids are thinking for themselves again.

It is an awesome thing to be a part of everyday!

Until next time,

Hello Monday {Medicine}

Hello fresh new week...

 Hello medicine...

I'm a little wound up...

taking steroids to bring my immune system back from out of control super strength

 has made me a wee bit hyper.

My husband is getting a kick out of it...

my bed, not so much.

Hello natural living...
I am not a medicine taker at all...

tell me steroids and I'd rather pass, 

but the look on my doctor's face told me I didn't have a choice.

I am thankful I trusted her because my eyes are back to normal!!

Hello shop prep...

trying to get more burp cloths added to my inventory.

Lots of ironing involved,

but they are such cute gifts the time is worth it!

Hello grading test papers...

7-year-olds write the best responses on their tests.

I was laughing at their right,

 but not really what I was looking for answers.

 

Hello boys who make me laugh...

sneak attack hugs are my favorite boy thing!

 

Hello new week...

what do you have in store for us?

Hello everyone!

Have a wonderful Monday!!

Until next time,

 

 

 Joining Miss Lisa for Hello Monday

 

Coffee Date-Currently

If we were having a coffee date...

 you would surely notice my red puffy eyes...

I would tell you I'm going to see the doctor today, 

this allergic reaction or whatever it is

 is making me crazy...

I cannot figure out what is causing it!

If we were having a coffee date...

I would tell you the first week back to school was not bad...

and I still really dislike teacher inservices...

I'd rather be in the classroom with my kids.

If we were having a coffee date...

I'd show you my new jeans...

$2 at the thrift store and a little alteration...

makes me love them!

If we were having a coffee date...

I'd tell you about the boys having arguments 

about scientific terms in the kitchen...

I love my house of thinkers...

so blessed to have these boys.

If we were having a coffee date...

I'd tell you we've been getting in more veggies

and I've hit the treadmill everyday...

working on my goals has been good!

If we were having a coffee date...

I'd tell you the new shop has had a lot of traffic...

I can't wait to get some sewing time in this weekend!

If we were having a coffee date...

I'd hug you and say,

"Your turn.  Catch me up on you!"

Until next time,

 

 Joining up with Alissa

Joining up with Casey

{naps}

In this busy world of go, go, go

we seem to have all forgotten the refreshing power of a nap.

I see pictures of darling littles all over my instagram feed in peaceful slumber

 or sacked out in crazy positions, 

but as adults we often just keep going until we're past the point of exhaustion.

What good is making efforts to workout more 

and eat better if our poor bodies are exhausted?

So I say if you need a nap...

take it.

My word this year is grace...

and I think it fits right along with giving yourself permission 

to take care of yourself.

Seriously, what a concept right?!?

In this fast paced world we push the limits of what our bodies can handle 

and then wind up crashing in a hard way...flu...injuries...exhaustion.

I think a lot of us need to slow down and remember it is okay to rest.

The dishes in the sink can wait a little while, 

I can fluff the load of clothes in the dryer again, 

returning emails can wait.

I know I need to remember.

I saw a great little print on Pinterest a while back...

it said...

"Stop the glorification of busy"

Amen and Hallelujah

Until next time,

 

Hello Monday

Hello back to school...

mixed feelings on this one for all of us.

Hello restocking the freezer...

yummy waffles and french toast for busy school mornings.

Hello new shop host...

so glad we found a better site for Amy's Monkeys...

the big kid {aka my tech support} loves the flexibility...

I love the new look!

Hello to do list getting shorter...

I didn't finish everything,

but grace keeps coming to mind.

Hello gloomy Sunday...

taking the whole family to get a few new things at Target 

{thank you clearance rack}

made up for the lack of sunshine.

Hello new week...

trying to get back into the swing of things...

after a wonderful vacation.

Hello everyone...

Have a great week!

Until next time,

Joining Miss Lisa today for Hello Monday!

Coffee Date ~ Goals

If we were having a coffee date...

I would be telling you about my goals for the new year.

I have many things I want to accomplish this year for my health,

for our nutrition, for our finances, for our businesses, for my career, 

for my children, and for our home and garden.

If we were having a coffee date...

I would tell you I need to lose some inches and get back to being more active.

Hard workouts and more bike riding need to find a place in my life again.

All of the changes at school have messed with my energy level and I'm not happy about it.

Since I have a handle on having such a bigger class now I really need to get back to exercising everyday!

If we were having coffee...

I would tell you we need to up our real food game.

We need to have more veggies in our diet and focus on sticking to the meal plan.

I need to make sure to fill the basket with veggies 

when I am at the market and have good things to dip them in for the boys.

I would tell you I've gotten lazy about this and it has to change!

If we were having coffee...

I would tell you we paid off two little debts last week and our car should be paid off by the fall.  I would also tell you I hope we can work hard and get it paid off way before that! 

Since Kenny lost his county job things have been tight, but we're learning more everyday about budgeting and weighing wants verses needs.  The faster we get this debt paid off the faster we can get old debts gone too!  That is exciting to me!

If we were having coffee...

I would tell you Kenny is working hard to help build this new business!  His boss values him and they are both excited about the future of the company.  It is so exciting watching their enthusiasm! Someday they will be making a living doing what they love.  It's not paying much yet, but isn't that how all new businesses start?!?

I would also tell you I hope to build up Amy's Monkeys this year.

I am working to make good choices and get systems in place to help make me more productive.  I want to increase traffic and build my brand.  I would also tell you I would love to do another craft show event.  We had a blast at the last one and I learned so much! 

If we were having coffee...

I would tell you I am going to apply to teach in the town where we live.

This one scares me to death!  I am very comfortable at my current school, but commuting has just gotten to be too much.  I feel like the teachers at my boys' school are the cream of the crop and I am nervous about not being good enough.  I have to get over the insecurity and get my application finished up and turned in!

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you I am excited about homeschooling Lukas and Zackery next year.

They need more and I am itching to search out the best ways to stretch their minds.

I want them to finally be challenged instead of just being given more work to do!

I am also excited Nikolas gets to finish up at the same school he began with in kindergarten.

That kind of stability is an awesome thing!

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you about plans we have for the house.

New paint for the inside to lighten everything up is first on the list.  Five years of the current color is more than enough.  I'm ready for change.  If we can manage it I'd love to get the floors redone too!

Wood floors are my dream, but some of the laminates are so pretty and the prices are so much more affordable.  I would love to have floors that aren't so yucky, because builder grade carpet stinks!

If we were having coffee...

I'd tell you we need to tackle the backyard and get the garden situated.

With grocery prices rising we need to take advantage of this big old backyard!

It probably won't take much to get it in shape, but we need to start soon!

If we were having coffee...

I'd hug you and thank you for listening to me 

ramble on about my plans, hopes, and goals.  

I hope your dreams and goals come together too!

Until next time,
 


Joining up with Alissa

Joining up with Casey

Aprons

I just added some new aprons to the shop!

I live in an apron when I am in the kitchen or doing chores, 

so I think everyone should have one or two or three! {wink,wink}

Take a peek and let me know what you think!

Until next time,

{pretties}

Above my sewing table was a lonely blank wall
just waiting for something pretty to freshen it up.

Enter after Christmas sale at the thrift store!

70% off everything Christmas...

I remembered seeing hoops with '80s era decorations in them, the plan began to take shape.

I gracefully gathered hurriedly snatched up all of the hoop creations in their Christmas section.  

On a side note an interesting lady followed my around the thrift store while I had all the hoops in my arms...
I hope she didn't think I was going to put some of them back...
sorry sweet lady, but this gal had a plan.

I totally remember my mom and everyone else making hoops like these when I was a kid!

Once I got home the deconstruction began...

obviously the boys got into the action.

(boys + taking things apart = happy boys)

After we got all of the holiday cheer off the hoops the fun began.

Can I just say I am glad I hang onto my fabric scraps...do I hear an "amen".  

Ya, I thought so!

Choosing fabrics and pins to gussy things up was so much fun!

Finding the right arrangement was pretty easy.

A simple, little, super inexpensive, big impact project has made this girl's heart happy!

 

Now my sewing space has a bit more color and some of my favorite fabrics are out for me to see everyday! 

I also took the time to make one of my hoops an embroidered reminder of my word for the year.  

 I am sure I will need to look up there some days!

Until next time,