Currently...and Shakeology Results

Listening: I just love that show! It is so funny. 

Loving: I went shopping today and bought a new dress from Old Navy...what do you think? It is so comfy, the length is perfect and so is the fit. I plan on wearing it tomorrow for an afternoon at the winery. 

Thinking: We move on Wednesday...and we are packed up for the most part. I really tried to packed as much as possible before hand.

Wanting: A smooth transition with our move...we are working with our landlord now to fix the floor in our current place and hope it is seamless. Just want to move out and move in and be settled!

Needing: SPRING BREAK! NOW! We are going to the beach!

Hours and Last Day: Teachers contract hours are 8:15-3:45, students hours are 8:45-3:40. We have 13 snow days and 6 two hour delays, so we actually had to add 10 minutes on to the end of our day. Used to be 8:45-3:30. And our last day was on June 17th...now it is June 19th.

SHAKEOLOGY 3 Day Cleanse RESULTS:

Sorry to leave you hanging...we got quite busy with our packing and reports cards were due this past week! On the second morning of my cleanse I was down another pound. Like I mentioned in my previous post, I used milk in my shakes. So I broke the rules. Then I woke up after the cleanse and was down a total of 2.8 pounds. Not ideal...I was hoping for 5 lbs gone. But the good news is that then next morning, I was down another .6 lbs. So in all I lost a little over 3 lbs. Which isn't bad considering I didn't follow the no dairy rule. I stuck it out! And that's what counts, because I really wanted to just give up. It is an easy cleanse and you don't starve. But, without coffee, I was cranky for sure!

3 Day Shakeology Cleanse: Day 2

Well, I am glad I started this yesterday and not today...because I have my end of year observation on Wednesday and I am definitely going to NEED my coffee that day! So after one day, I was down 1.3lbs. I was hoping for 2. Probably not too bad a of a number considering that I am having milk with my shakes.

Today was much like yesterday, started off with a headache, most likely because I am not drinking my coffee. I mixed my shakes with half milk, half water...I cannot stomach the watered down taste of just mixing with water and ice, especially when not having fruit in them. In my morning shake I added half a banana. I added a tsp of cocoa to each shake today as well...1 tbsp of the cocoa is only 15 calories, so 1 tsp is only 5 calories. I had an apple this afternoon while my kiddos were having a snack. I had the same salad as last night, with chicken and the asian dressing. 

My cravings were still there, not as bad I guess. I usually stop in my principals office twice a day for a piece of chocolate. I did well today and DID NOT have my daily chocolate fix (that's why I added it to the shakes). I was still hungry so I had my 3rd shake about an hour and half after dinner. 

I will update tomorrow evening with my progress. I bought caffeinated green tea to have tomorrow. I am hoping this might help with the headache that I know is from caffeine withdrawals! #Starbucksismylife

I leave you with this scary evening shot of me drinking my 3rd shake...

And just a teacher related question for those of you reading my crazy blogs: Once Upon a Time or Camping theme for next year? These were two ideas from my students, whom of which I will have at least 2/3 of them again next year since we are a looping school. 

Shakeology 3-Day Cleanse: Day 1 (and a little Tiek update)

So primarily I use my blog for teaching...but I am also like to include some things that I do in my personal life. Most recently, I ordered a bag of Shakeology off a recommendation from a friend. I started doing T25 workouts as well, but with my crazy schedule and eternal exhaustion, I haven't been working out lately. So I decided to do the 3 Day Shakeology Cleanse. I have the vanilla flavor.

So I am nearing the end of day 1. The hardest part of the day was not having coffee this morning. I suffered a headache and was sleepy most of the day. I ate the following:

Breakfast:

1 cup green tea

Shakeology- water, ice, 1/2 cup of mixed berries

Lunch:

Shakeology- water, ice, 1/2 cup of mixed berries

Snack:

Apple

Dinner: Salad with greens, cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, snap peas, grilled chicken and an asian salad dressing (Olde Cape Cod Toasted Sesame Soy and Ginger, 40 calories serving)

Snack:

Shakology- milk (I had to, the water just isn't good so I mixed half water and half milk), ice, 1 tsp unsweetened cocoa

I finished all my "meals" before 6pm and I have to say, I am still hungry. I still have a headache. But I am going to power through. I just had to have some milk in my last shake today. Mixing it with water without fruit just isn't that great. 

I hope to lose about 5 pounds and jumpstart my body and kick myself back into shape with running, T25, and healthy eating. I plan to not eat carbs with dinner after my cleanse and workout every other day. We head to the beach in 13 days! 

I'll update with my progress each day. Wish me luck! This is going to be so hard (not drinking coffee!!!)

And just a little update on my Tieks: I got a call from the woman that has been "helping" me. First, it took a week for my shoes to get from the sorting facility to the woman in the Tieks office. She called me to tell me that my shoes are being sent to a cobbler they use to be "fixed". That was almost a week ago. So getting my shoes back in a timely manner doesn't really seem like the truth. I shipped them out about 3 weeks ago. The woman did say that when they are shipped back it will be priority mail, so I'll get them as quickly as I did when I purchased them. I was told they were going to be cleaned up and fixed. I hope they can fix them. I'll keep you posted!

The Sunshine Blogger Award...because we all could use some SUN!

Thanks to Ash over at The Rolly Chair for nominating me for the Sunshine Blogger Award! 

The rules of the Sunshine Blogger Award are:

1.  Post 11 random facts about yourself.

2.  Answer the 11 questions asked by the blogger who nominated you.

3. Nominate 11 bloggers you think bring sunshine to the world.

4. Make up 11 questions for your nominees to answer.

11 Random Fact about ME:

#1 I am an only child...and I get really irritated when people say things like, "oh, they must be an only child" like it's a legit syndrome. I turned out just fine I think! 

#2 My husband was my high school sweetheart...yes! That's right! We met when I was 15 and we starting dating when I was 16 (the day I got my driver's license). We married when I was 22 and had our daughter when I was 23.

#3 I am originally from a smallllll town in NY, but moved to VA for a job. I had an interview one day and two weeks later I started my new job. It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do, to move my family to VA when our families are all in NY. 

#4 I love to cook and bake...but only when I have enough time to enjoy it. Therefore, my husband does a lot of cooking during the week. We LOVE the crockpot!

#5 I LOVE coffee! I can't imagine giving it up. Starbucks is my favorite but I only go on Friday mornings as a treat! And I rarely ever pay for it because all my friends and family (and usually my students, too!) know that all I need as a gift is a Starbucks gift card.

#6 My name was going to be Jeffrey if I was a boy...thank goodness I was a girl...I have had a few bad Jeff experiences!

#7 I love to READ!!! Seriously... I read every night before I go to bed. There are some nights that if I am reading a really good book, I will stay up until I finish it. One Christmas Eve, before my husband and I were married and we spent the night with our own families, I read a WHOLE Nicholas Sparks book. 

#8 I am a sucker for Hunger Games and Twilight. I can't help myself...and yes...I loved Fifty Shades of Grey too.

#9 I am a newbie runner...within the past two years. I go through spurts of being really good and really bad. I am going to run in a 5k in May, so I hope the warm weather is on its way because I need to get OUT and run!

#10 I love a good slice of pizza and an ice cold glass of MILK!

#11 My husband and I have become wine lovers...really, we go to the wineries almost every weekend. We even play wine Jeopardy...and yes! We win!

Ash's 11 Questions for me the answer:

1.  What's the last good book that you've read? Everything Nice by Ellen Shanman...that last book I read. It came off the borrow shelf in the teacher's lounge and it was pretty good. 

2.  What's your favorite flavor of ice cream? Mint Ting-a-Ling...yes it is different than Mint Chocolate Chip!

3.  Dogs or cats? I grew up having each, but at different times. I love cats because they are self sufficient for the most part. But I love dogs too!

4.  What subject are you least comfortable teaching?  Why? Math...even though I have my Masters half in math and I am good at it...it's very hard for me to teach.

5.  What will always put a smile on your face? the beach

6.  How often do you cook? At least twice a week...my husband is the chef most of the time.

7.  Do you watch the Olympics? yes and no...I only watch certain sports (beach volleyball, gymnastics, skiing)

8.  Do you type or hand-write your lesson plans? Type them...I do visual plans.

9.  Have you ever used a sick day to do something fun?  What did you do? Yes...I spent the day with my mom and dad when they came to visit me. 

10. How do you de-stress? Nap, run, hang out with friends.

11.  If you weren't in education and money didn't matter, what "job" would you want? I am a wedding planner on the side and I do it during the summers mostly. If I could do that all the time, I would love it.

Now time for me to nominate 11 bloggers who I think bring sunshine to the bloggin' world:

#1 First Grade and Fabulous

#2 One Stop Teacher Shop

#3 Fun in First

#4 Fluttering Through First Grade

#5 Oceans of First Grade Fun

#6 The Adventures of a Classy Teacher

#7 Peace, Love and First Grade

#8 Shifting Teacher K-2

#9 Rooting for Third Grade

#10 A Day in First Grade

#11 Teacher and Tapas

And here are your 11 questions!

#1 How long have you been a teacher?

#2 What grades have you taught?

#3 How many students do you have in your class? What was the highest and lowest number's you've had?

#4 Do you have a classroom theme? What is it?

#5 What is the most expensive items you've purchased on TpT? Why did you buy it?

#6 If you could invent one thing to make the school day easier, what would it be?

Okay enough about school!

#7 What could you not go a day without...okay...three things?

#8 What is your favorite store to shop in?

#9 What is your favorite restaurant to eat at?

#10 Mac or PC?

#11 What is your favorite recipes to make for dinner?

Hope everyone will enjoy participating! 

March CURRENTLY and Spring Packet...and my TIEKS!

Signing on for a quick blog post...super busy with packing, getting ready for company...trying to get caught up after all those SNOW DAYS! It was 70 here today: A-Mazing!

Linking up with Farley over at Oh' Boy 4th Grade for CURRENTLY!

Can you guess what my question is? Everything else is pretty explanatory...my girls are coming to visit this weekend. I've lived in VA for just over two years and they have finally made plans to come visit! Can' wait! 
I haven't been very creative lately with making new TpT packets. I don't think I will be on board to have something complete by Saint Patrick's Day, but maybe a new spring themed packet of centers in the near future. But for now, check out my Spring Packet from last year! First 5 folks to comment will receive it for free!

and just for laughs...check out my lesson plans from the past month...look at all those SNOW DAYS!

This week looks like a full week...but with the 100th day, Boosterthon and a professional development for me in the afternoon on Thursday...it was just like a week with a snow day. 

And this week's plans...a full week! Linking up with 

and a small update on my Tieks...In my opinion they are starting to fall apart. I called and sent pictures to the company, only to be laughed at, have the manager tell me that I intentionally pulled and tugged on them, and got no where with them on the phone. Their only response was "bring them to your local cobbler". I said I would not be spending MORE money on my $175 shoes after only 5 months. So, they sent me a prepaid shipping label and I sent them back for them to see for themselves...I will blog with the outcome!

Meet the Teacher Tuesday? Peek at My Week AND a Bright Idea Blog HOP!

I have been wanting to link up with The Ordinary To Extraordinary Classroom for Meet the Teacher Monday for a few weeks now...and I never get a chance to blog on Monday nights! I am usually just burnt out. So you're going to learn more about me on TUESDAY! :o)

Meet the Teacher (Monday): FAST FIVE!

List 5 Things You Always Keep in Your Purse: (now, I don't have a designated purse...on week days I use only my school bag and on weekends I transfer my wallet...)

1. Lady Products! and in the car, at school, etc...
2. Hand-Sanitizer, usually a wonderful smelling Bath & Body scent to match the season (my favorite has been Autumn Day)
3. Mints!
4. Nail file
5. iPhone

List 5 Things You Love about Yourself:

1. My messy organization
2. My creativity
3. My sense of humor
4. I am always on time
5. If I want something...I normally get it! And I mean that in a good way...I'll work for it or make it happen!

List 5 Things You Do to Keep Yourself Busy:

1. Blog (write, read, browse, stalk...)
2. Read
3. Watch numerous awful and some good TV shows
4. Plan day trips, parties, events, anything to keep the day from being boring!
5. Spend time with my family

List 5 Things that Attract You to the Opposite Sex:

1. Sense of Humor
2. Trustworthiness
3. Ability to Communicate, or at least try and work on it
4. Adventurous 
5. Fun (willingness to do fun things, be funny, silly, sarcastic)

List 5 Things You Want to Accomplish in 2014

1. Run a 10K
2. Lose some pounds, gain some muscle!
3. Move and decorate our new home to feel comfortable
4. Be more patient
5. Possibly, maybe, discuss more with my husband about having a second child...we both want to most days...but there are definitely some days when our dear Addy gives us a run for our money...literally, and she will be in K next year...no more daycare payments? Sounds good, but we'll see what 2014 has to bring! 

Could it be? No SNOW DAYS or ICE DAYS or FREEZE DAYS this week? We'll see...tomorrow there is freezing rain in the forecast...but I am convinced that the temperature will not drop low enough for a delay or closing. For those of you having a snow day tomorrow, ENJOY!

It might not be the most creative or amazing idea...but it does save a lot of time untangling headphone cords and dealing with too many students at the listening center. I use individual cd players (I pick them up at the local thrift store for $2-3 each) so that each students can take a bag with one, a book and the CD and bring it to their seat. It doesn't limit how many students can be at listening center as long as you can find a few cd players. I put a note out to parents and they sent in old ones too!

Again, not the most complicated and creative idea...but is does make copying a lot easier to manage and carry back to your room. I took this idea from another colleague at school. I keep my copy paper in it and whenever I have something that I want to copy, I will slip it in the bin so that I have everything in one place when I get time to copy. (Bought mine at Wal-Mart, also at Target)

 

And lastly, HAND SIGNALS! It makes answering questions a lot easier to manage! Especially when I am with a small group, on the phone, talking with another adult, etc. I can just scan the room and see what my students needs are. 

AND FINALLY...(I know, thought this post was never going to end, huh?)

CONGRATULATIONS to Andrea over at Reading Toward the Stars, the winner of one of my February Holiday Packs! I need to get going on a new pack soon!

February Currently and February Holidays PACKS!!

Listening: A friend of mine from NY has a radio show on Sunday afternoons and they play music from documentaries, commercials, and movies. The radio station is WIOX 91.3, but you tune in and listen to THE LISTEN on Sundays from 2-3pm. Today they were playing music from their favorite Super Bowl commercials. 

Loving: Okay, so it's a love/hate thing...but bottom line, everyone likes a day off. We've used 8 snow days and have had a few 2hr delays here in NOVA...now we are supposed to get anywhere's from 2-6 inches across our county. I am hoping they call it today so that we can enjoy the super bowl and the yummy oreo cookie shooters that I made!

Thinking: SPRING BREAK...booked at the beach with a few of our friends. Topsail Island, NC. We've been there several times before, but usually not until mid August. But the Farmer's Almanac says that April in NC should be warmer than usual. Now, I am just hoping that our county applies for a snow day waiver because of this insanely crazy winter we've had and that we don't have to make up all the days we have gone over...because I have a feeling the winter is no where near being over...and we're already on STORM "N". 

Wanting: To successfully complete the 3 week challenge that my hubs and I are going to start tomorrow. For 3 weeks we are going to not drink anything but water (and coffee for me), exercise 3x a week, and eliminate carbs after lunch. Kind of a little detox for us. 

Needing: I found out yesterday morning that I have an ear infection! I went to urgent care and the doctor said it was most likely due to a virus I had earlier this week, which would explain my awful sore throat. I can feel the liquid in my ear :-/

2 truths and a fib: 

#1 YES! I am a wedding planner. During my senior year of college I planned/coordinated my first wedding and since have been doing it as a side job during the summer. 

#2 I WISH! I have not made $10,000 on Tpt, not yet anyways....about half way there!

#3 YES! I have taught all grades from K-6, except fourth. I did work as a TA in fourth grade for about a month, but that's it. 

...and now for my February Holiday PACKS! I created a TpT pack of the 100th day, Valentine's and President's Day a few weeks ago. I haven't sold any yet :o( I cannot seem to get it show up in searches on TpT either, so I decided to break them all up as individual packs and then link the bundle from each. 

and here is the bundle

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck to you! Thanks for stopping in...