First Day of School.

I honestly can't believe that summer is officially over!  My first day of school is tomorrow! As a kids I was always really excited for the first day of school... like the I can't sleep night-before-Christmas kind of excited!  Not anymore.  I mean, I love teaching.  Don't get me wrong.  But, I LOVE summer!  I just really think that deep down inside I am meant to be a stay at home mom.  Of course, Chris and I don't have any kids for me to stay at home with, and we don't really live the kind of life style that could afford it.  But that is by choice.  I really think if we decided that was what was best for us as a family (which I'm hoping we will decide that one day) we would make the sacrifices.  As of right now, teaching is my dream job compared to anything else.  

And I am excited for the first day of school.  If you asked me if I was two weeks ago I would have said no.  But as of right now, I am looking forward to this year.  This will be the first year that I am teaching the same content as the year before.  I taught resource math 6th, 7th, and 8th grades my first year as a long-term sub.  My first actual year of teaching was 6th grade math.  Then I was moved to 7th grade math.  Last year was 6th grade science, and I FINALLY got to stay in the same grade and subject!  I feel like I have a good grip on what it is I'm teaching.  Sure, little things here and there change in lessons and all, but for the most part it's the same!  And after getting my classroom ready over the past couple of weeks, I am even more ready.  My walls were blank at the end of the year last year.  I wasn't sure whether or not I was staying in the same place, so I figured I should go ahead and take it all down.  I figured that even if I ended up in the same room there were a lot of logistics that needed changing.  So, when I got to my room recently this is what I saw:

I got A LOT done!  It isn't 100% completely done, but more than ready to go for tomorrow!  Here is what you would see walking into it now:

This last one has a funny story.  I decided I am going to put some personal things behind my desk: cute posters, some family pics, etc.  I'm not done yet, but I did get started.  I used to have a Twilight poster in my math class at my old school that the kids loved.  So, I decided to get a Hunger Games poster for this year.  I went to Walmart, and the poster section was a huge mess!  They only had one poster on display.  I really liked it.  It was of Katniss.  But, it wasn't in it's bin.  I looked around, and found one that was near the correct bin that I could see the Hunger Games sign on.  I was so excited!  Even thought they are rolled up and that was all I could see I wasn't worried because the Katniss poster seemed to be the only one that was for sale.  Here is what I found when I unrolled it!

Peeta Mellark.  It looks like I have a crush on him just like a lot of the 12-year-old girls I will be teaching this year.  Oh well!  Well, it's time for me to go to bed so I can get up super early to get ready for the 1st day of school!  Happy school year to all of my teacher friends out there... or to anyone who has kids in school!

And I have to admit, I lied earlier.  If you asked me if I could be ANYTHING I wanted to be, like if all options were open, I would want to be a dog.  All they do is eat, sleep, poop, and play!  That's the life... lol.

Not Too Shabby...

... If I don't say so myself! So, my plans of going to the school to work in my room today didn't happen.  I went yesterday for a little less than two hours.  I knew I wouldn't be there all day.  I really only had one thing in mind that I absolutely wanted to get done, but I thought it would take thirty minutes at the most!  I was wrong... I kept changing my mind on how I wanted it done.  Here is a pic of the finished product!

There were many times last year that I would run to the restroom and wish I had brought something with me (feminine product, pony tail holder, dental floss etc.), so I decided I would buy something like this to store those things in that we don't always think about.  I bought these drawers for $10, and I have been buying things that are good deals to go inside.  I figure I will stock it at the beginning of the year and then hopefully the other teachers will get the idea and bring stuff for it.  Yesterday, I filled the inside with the stuff I had bought for it so far.  The top drawer contains 3 air fresheners and a lint roller.  The middle drawer has 3 things of bayer aspirin, cough drops, and a few packs of gum.  The bottom drawer has a package of pads and pantiliners. All of the stuff inside was purchased for less than $8... with coupons of course!  

Speaking of my coupons... the reason I didn't go up to the school today is because I got started couponing this morning.  Chris has two nice ladies he works with that bring him their coupon inserts every Monday.  So on weeks like this one, when I didn't buy a Sunday paper, I can still have access to this weeks coupons!  I cut out and organized the 3 inserts that he received, and then I made a list.  Now, I don't like to make a list and just go to one store to make it convenient.  I like to make as many lists as possible to get the best deals as possible!  So, this morning my list consisted of 5 stores.  I only ended up going to 4 though: Dollar General, Walgreens, CVS, and Tom Thumb.  Here is a pic of the goodies I picked up!

Some of the stuff is hard to see, so I will explain.  I got two boxes of toilet cleaner and two boxes of gain dryer sheets at Dollar General.  Then I got two boxes of tampons and a venus razor at Walgreens.  At CVS, I got a pack of bobby pins, pony tail holders, and hair clips and a jumbo pack of dental flosser picks. My last stop was Tom Thumb.  I got 3 boxes of fruit snacks, three boxes of granola bars, a package of pantiliners, and two packages of pads.  In all, I spent $35.62.  My total should have been $76.21 which gives me a 54% savings.  Some stores were better than others, and I still have $7 in extra bucks to go back and spend at Walgreens.  They don't always like it when you break up your number of transactions, so I plan on going back tomorrow.

The best part was after my shopping I stopped by my gym to get a quick 15 minute massage on the hydro bed.  It was amazing!  I can always use some relaxation after a couple hours of couponing!  I'm about to head to pick up Chris.  Hopefully we can work out tonight, but the main thing I plan on doing is cleaning upstairs... fun, I know!  I'm just so excited about using the new toilet bowl cleaner I got!

We Joined A Gym!

On our way home from the river we decided that we were going to try and be healthier.  I even decided I am going to run a half marathon.  I later decided it would be best to start with a 5k, but I think I will try and work my way up!  Anyway, we pass a gym on our way home daily that I wanted to look into.  It has this HUGE sign on the front window that says it is only $12 a month with no contract commitment.  It looks tiny, but I thought it might be worth a look.  When Chris and I went inside I was somewhat surprised.  It was a little bigger than thought it would be, and we were told it was a full gym. (I guess that means it has all the machines a full gym would have... just not as many.) They also have a tanning bed and a hydro massage bed.  The guy let me try the hydro bed and it was AMAZING!  I recently terminated my monthly massages to try and save $80 a month, and I really thought I was going to miss my massages.  I might not with this machine.  It basically uses water jets to massage you.  He told us that a chiropractor said 15 minutes on the hydro bed is basically the same as a 60 minute swedish massage!  I haven't tried it for a full 15 minutes yet, but I will let you know how it goes!  The "$12 a month" sign is a ploy to get you in there.  You had to put $79 down for that plan and you only get to work out 3 days a week... either Monday, Wednesday Friday or Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday.  Their next plan was only $15 a month.  You had to put $49 down, but you could work out any day of the week.  The thing with this plan is the tanning and hydro beds are not included.  Their 3rd and final plan is the one we went with.  It also required $49 down.  It costs the most ($25 a month... which really isn't that bad) but has the best perks.  The tanning and hydro bed is included, you can work out any day you want, AND you can bring a guest with you!  So, I joined and Chris is my guest EVERY time I go!  The only bad thing is he isn't allowed to use either bed and he has to be with me to be able to get in.  We might end up getting him his own membership so that Laura can go with us as our guest!  

Starting August 1st (the day we joined the gym) we did a really good job of eating right and working out.  Our first workout was painful.  We only did 20 minutes of cardio and were BEAT, but you have to start slow... right?  We didn't go out to eat at all (okay, just subway once) and we worked out like 4 times!  Chris even downloaded this app that has programmed workouts on it that we can follow so that we aren't just walking around trying random things.  Like, I even lifted some weights.  I am SOOOOO weak!  It was sad that the 5 and 8 pound dumbbells were heavy, but I have nowhere to go but up!  Chris's birthday was last Thursday, August 9, so we cheated over the weekend, but we plan to get right back on track today!  I haven't told him that yet, but I am sure he will agree!  

His birthday was fun.  I got him a Bible with his name engraved on the front, and while I was at it I decided to go ahead and get me one with my future name on it!  I knew it was probably a gift that he wouldn't buy for himself but that he would enjoy having.  I also got him this really cool speaker.  I thought he would LOVE it!  Not so much.  It is really unique.  You plug in your iPhone or whatever and then attach it to pretty much anything.  It turns the item you attach it to into the speaker!  Like, our kleenex box is a speaker!  I was disappointed that he didn't like it as much as I thought he would.  I also made him a shutterfly book of some really cute pics of us.  It is really sweet.  I don't know how to upload the book, but if you ever come to my house you should look at it!  Check out the speaker here: http://www.origaudio.com/shop/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=29778

Ok... I know it is early, but it is time to start being productive!  This is my last full week of summer.  I plan on going up to the school 3 or 4 times this week to start getting my room together and ready for the first week of school.  I also want to be productive at home though, so I'm going to go upstairs and do something... not sure what, but something!

River Trip 2012

So, this past weekend was our third annual river trip.  Chris and I have gone with a group of friends for the past few years, and we were happy to be able to go again this year.  Each year the group changes a little bit, but there are 6-8 core people (Chris and I included) and then usually an additional 4-6 that add on.  It is always a good time to get away and relax... especially since the past few years the river has been low so it doesn't flow very fast!  We got there on Friday afternoon and decided to do the short float.  They told us it would be 2-2.5 hours long.  It took us 3 and a half hours!  On Saturday, we did the medium float.  This one was a little more accurate on time.  We were on the river about 6 hours.  I made one mistake though.  The lady told us we would see signs at one point that told us to get out and walk around the falls.  Now usually when it is a little drop it isn't called falls, so I was all gung ho about getting out and walking, but when we got there I talked the group into going down them.  I'm NO daredevil, but I saw a 6-year-old going down the "falls" without any problems!  The group decided to trust me, and down the falls we went.  I should have learned last year not to go down any sort of rapid attached to another person (last year the girl attached to me flipped, couldn't get out from under her tube, thought she was going to drown, etc.) but I didn't.  I was attached to the SAME girl (shows how much we learned) and Chris at the same time!  Her and I both flipped.  I got carried down the river a few yards and thought I scraped my back pretty bad but turns out it was just my sunburn.  It was still pretty traumatic at the time.  Next time I see a sign that says "Get out and walk" I think I will listen!  I will say though, that of all 3 years, Chris and I had the best time this year.  We made sure to use plenty of sunscreen (even though there was still some burn) and drink plenty of water (even though there was plenty of non water) and we over all had a great time.  We played games both nights which is a favorite for us!  Here is a pic of some of the girls hanging out back at the cabin.

I'm on the left, then it's Britni (a girl I have known since Middle School), then Cathy (I met her over the weekend... she is a hoot!) and Ashley (a friend of Britni's who has ended up becoming a friend of mine)


We left Sunday morning.  Chris and I decided to go to Buccee's.  He has a friend who always brings him beef jerkey from there but had never been there.  I have recently seen pictures of people at Buccee's but didn't really know what it was.  I just thought it was a gas station.  Chris kept telling me it wasn't a gas station but couldn't really tell me what it was.  We decided to check it out for ourselves.  I have decided it is a combination of a gas station, farmers market, and gift shop.... on steroids!  It was ridiculous!  We probably bought more than we should, but I'm glad we went!

Here is Buccee the Beaver!  I should have stood next to him!


I am finally well rested and ready to enjoy the rest of my summer.  There isn't much left!  I can't believe it is already August!  I have training for school next week... yuck!  And Chris's birthday is next week...yay!  I'll be sure to update you on all of the activities!

I Heart Summer!

So I have decided that unless I become a stay at home mom I will always be a teacher because I LOVE SUMMER!!! I have done absolutely nothing productive today (unless you count catching up on some of my shows that were recorded or watching clips from Kidd Kraddick in the Morning on my newly downloaded app) and I don't even feel bad about it. We got a new puppy yesterday. Well, it is Laura's puppy but since we live together for the time being I can say we. He is so cute. He is a dorkie... Half miniature daschund and half yorkie. Laura decided to name him Ranger. I'll put pics up later because I don't know how to on my iPad yet. I also don't know how to change the dang font. Logan is more than thrilled to have the new addition but we have to be careful since she weighs 70 pounds and he is only 2.5! He is so adorable though! I wonder how many times my oldest sister is going to be asked for a small dog by my niece because of this! Speaking of family, mine is coming over for dinner tonight. My WHOLE family. Mom, Dad, Mel JD Madi & Braylon, Kim & Brett, and of course me Chris & Laura will be here. I'm super excited though, we always have a good time together! Just wanted to give a quick update... Time to watch more of my crime shows!

June Review

I can't believe that June is basically already over!  I love summer, but it goes by WAY too quickly.  I've had a lot of time to relax and spend time with my friends and family.  I know I still have July and part of August, but I know it will be over before I know it.  


I actually had to go to a training this past week in Dallas.  There is a program called AVID (advancement via individual determination).  It is designed to promote college readiness.  It allows students to be put into higher level classes and shows them how to study and gives them tips to succeed in life.  It is a great program that Irving is a part of.  I'm not an AVID teacher or anything, but we do have what is called a site team at each school.  The site team is a group of teachers who promote AVID strategies and help encourage students to go to college.  It is a really inspiring training.  You learn a ton of teaching strategies that you can use in your classroom, and it actually made the idea of going back to school not so terrifying.  I still don't want summer to end :)


I'm really looking forward to this weekend!  I have never been to Canton (a HUGE outside flea market type place), and I am going for the first time ever! I'm hoping to find some things that I can use for my wedding.  I had a color scheme in mind that I really liked, but in the back of my mind I kept thinking that it might clash a little with the decor of the venue I chose. So, I have been browsing wedding pics and decided exactly what I want. I'm still getting to use the main color I wanted, yellow, but I wanted to do something a little different.  Not so different that people will wonder what I was thinking... just different like you don't see the decor at every wedding you go to.  I really need to start doing a bit more planning so I won't be too overwhelmed during the school year.  I've been getting really excited about getting married lately. Not just the wedding, but I want to buy a house (and decorate it), I want to have babies... and I want to do these things with my best friend!  I am also going to a friend's baby shower this weekend.  I went and got a gift today at Buy Buy Baby.  After I bought the gift, the lady told me about their complementary gift wrapping.. that you wrap yourself!  I love wrapping presents, and for someone to give me all the wrapping paper and ribbons I need for free was GREAT!  Chris and I are also planning on seeing a movie this weekend and getting our passport pictures taken!  


I'm also excited about a new venture I'm getting into.  I've always wanted to find something that I can do on the side to make money.  I want to be able to make enough money that I don't have to go back to teaching right away once I have babies.  I tried selling jewelry a while back, but I'm really not a great sales person... and not everyone wants to spend their extra money on jewelry.  But you know what most people are willing to spend money on?  Health products!  Especially if they are weight loss type products!  I have a friend who currently sells these types of products for a company called itWorks!  She talked to me about the opportunity, and I was sold right away.  They have a supplement line and a skin care line, but their best seller is an at-home body wrap.  I have tried it, and it is amazing!  It helps you firm, tighten and tone wherever you put it, and most people see a reduction in inches!  I'm just now getting into this company, but I can't wait to see where it takes me.  I have a website: http://jennawinter.myitworks.com  I chose to use my married name (which won't be legally my name for a year) because my exciting!  I'm hoping this works out because my long-term goal is to be a stay-at-home-mom for a while after my kids are born. I guess that's part of the reason why I LOVE summer so much! I get to pretend to be a SAHM... just without the kids!


Hope everyone has a weekend as great as the one I'm looking forward to!

My First Week of Summer!

I made it through my first year of teaching 6th grade science, and I loved it! I'm so excited to be going back to the same school in the fall in the same position... but at the same time, I NEED A BREAK!


My first week was great!  I actually had to go to the school on Monday. Since Friday was our last day of school, our teacher work day ended up being on the following Monday. So, I was able to relax over the weekend, and knowing no kids going to be there it was easy getting up for school on Monday.  It started out with a quick end-of-the-year faculty meeting.  After that, I had like 3 more things to get signed off on my end of year check list, then I was planning on heading out the door by 9!  My plans changed.  One of the things I had to do was get my CT (computer tech) to sign my paper saying I would be responsible for my laptop during the summer.  Since I came from a different school, I have a different laptop than the other teachers.  Apparently, my CT didn't know that and needed to reimage mine.  No big deal... he said it would be 45 minutes.  I went and hung out with some of my teacher friends who had to be there for a while and went back 45 minutes later.  I thought it would be ready, but he said it would take another HOUR!  So, I got to hang out a little longer and then it was finally ready.  I ended up leaving around 11 or so.  I was able to go home and take a MUCH needed nap.  Good thing I got that nap... I went to an end of the year party at Patty's house.  Patty is a special ed teacher at my school and one of my favorite people I have met at my new school.  Chris went with me, and we had a blast!  We met and hung out with Patty and another teacher Tiffany's husbands.  It was really fun.


Tuesday and Wednesday consisted of baby sitting.  My oldest sis Melanie has two beautiful kids.  Madilyn is 9.  She is a "tomboy" (she wants to be but really isn't), she is hilarious, and she is very sweet.  Braylon is 7 months.  He is 90% of the time the happiest baby ever!  His smile melts my heart.  I had a good two days with them.  And Melanie is even paying me!  She had asked me a couple months ago if I was interested.  She was taking Braylon to a babysitter anyway and thought she could give that lady a break and pay me the same amount to help me save for my wedding.  Honestly, I probably would have done it for free because I love my niece and nephew... but having money for the wedding will be really nice!


Thursday was technically my first day off to myself, so I decided to do something that I would enjoy.  I couponed!  I woke up and sat on the couch for a little bit playing with my dog Logan, then decided to get started around 9.  It's not like I was straight couponing all day long... I did some laundry and watched tv also... but I wasn't done with my coupons until 6 pm!  I don't care though, it was well worth it.


On Friday I went back to the school to watch cheer camp.  I found out at the end of the school year that I get to be one of the cheerleading sponsors next year!  I AM SO EXCITED!  I think it will be so much fun to live vicariously through these girls! Well, they had camp all week. I didn't go because the girl who I am replacing wanted to be there for one last hoorah.  But, I was able to go up on Friday when they showcase everything they learned that week. It was cute... made me want to cheer again!  After that, I went home and met Laura.  She has summer hours over the summer and is off every other Friday.  So, we decided we would grocery shop!  We went to Tom Thumb and got some good deals.  We were able to save 49%.  I try not to save less than half, but that was so close, I was pleased!  After that, we went and got a much deserved hour-long massage.  I really needed it after sitting at my kitchen table couponing for that long!  Then, we finished our grocery shopping at Kroger and Albertson's.  Kroger's savings (25%) wasn't that great since they don't double coupons anymore.  But we got some things we really needed.  Then, Albertson's was amazing!  I saved 70%... spent about $50, saved about $115!  It feels good to get deals like that... especially since a lot of the shopping we did was for another family in need.  We found out this week that a family friend of one of our friends died.  He was 33 years old, married with two kids and one on the way.  And one thing that was so sad was that his wife actually had the 3rd baby the day after he passed away.  It was a heart attack and it was really unexpected.  One way I felt able to help was to give them some groceries so they would have to worry about it.  I took a quick pic of what we bought.

Mainly we wanted to give them some things that everybody uses. I know this won't make up for losing someone, but hopefully it will show how them that people care and are here if they need help.


Well, I'm off to blowdry my hair and then relax until it's time for church.  I think Chris and I might do dinner and a movie tonight! Looking SO forward to summer!