what's one to do...

...when there's no Home Group on the first Monday of the month?  I probably should have graded papers, cleaned house or finished up some laundry.  However, I decided to put my creativity to use.

Let me introduce my meal planning menu board.  I had set of pictures framed in our kitchen already, but I had been wanting to do something different.  I contemplated changing out the three pieces of artwork that were being showcased, but that didn't seem too exciting.  This is a bit more fun, and useful too!  :)

(These pictures were taken once it was dark outside, so the flash had to be used...it left some crazy images on the left side near the knives?!?!  Strange.)

Notes:

• I don't often follow recipes...hence the open spaces where I wrote in some items.  If I need the recipe, I can easily clip it to the proper clothes pin.
• Since it's just the two of us, we're not all that great about sticking to our menu each week.  Instead, life comes up...which is something we enjoy!  So, this makes it easy to move things around without having to think too hard.  :)  
• Saturday and Sunday are great days for consuming leftovers from throughout the week which is why I combined the two on my chalkboard.
• I'm linking up to this blog (below) for the first time ever...could be fun!  :)  

All it took for this project was some chalkboard paint (already had some from another project), clothes  pins (I've had those FOREVER), a bit of acrylic paint to transform said clothes pins, glue, the already-mentioned-frame, and a bit of chalk (again, something I had in my crafting stash).  Super easy project and I think it will come in handy.

Now I'm going to try and fall asleep...

check me out...

Here are my two new posts on Crafty Storage...in case you're curious.  I've got a few pictures to tease you.  Want to read more?  Click on the red links.

Today's Post...or tomorrow's post, depending on your time zone.

Last Month's Post

Enjoy!  :)

i love these people...

...even if one of them likes to goof around when when taking pictures.

At least he behaved himself for this one...

About a month ago, we all went out to celebrate Bobby's birthday.  The last few years my folks have been out of town on the 19th of March, so this time around we made up for it!  Hooray for Bobby & dinner at Palisade!

These are basically the same picture...but some of us look better in one and some look better in the other.  So, I'm including both shots!

I love this bunch!

cousin parties...

Carly, one of Ben's cousins (and now one of my cousin-in-laws, as I like to call them), is gearing up to leave us soon.  She's heading out on a YWAM mission at the end of this month.  So, we've tried to get the cousins together a few times before she disappears for a few months.  We're sure going to miss her!  The last few weeks we've met for dinner, enjoyed some games, taken a field trip to drop of Taylor (Carly's younger brother) at the movies, jumped at Sky High, dined on Tex-Mex & Red Robin, reminesced about what life was like growing up as a member of the Simmons family, celebrated birthdays, and literally driven in circles.  It's been SO MUCH FUN...and I've got pictures to prove it!  :)

These photos were taken at Grandma and Grandpa's house - during the family birthday party.  Carly was there, I promise.  However, she didn't want her picture taken.  (Don't worry, she shows up below.)

Justin is not a part of the Simmons family (at least not yet).  He is Katie's boyfriend who willingly came up to the Island for one of our family birthday parties...and he fit right in.  I LOVE the fact that he's competitive too - just like the rest of the Simmons family!

This is a horrible picture - not because of the people, but because I was rushed and didn't do a good job!  We set off on an inpromptu adventure to drop off Taylor (see picture below).  He and his girlfriend were meeting to see a movie at the Clyde.  We wanted to show up and embarrass him.  From left to right you've got Justin, Caleb, Katie, Ben, Carly & Brandon.

Here's Taylor...gearing up for the big date.  He's a trooper for putting up with all of us!  :)  What a cutie-pa-tootie too!

Katie stood in the middle of the street for this picture.  I was pretending to take a photo of her when really, we were just hoping to keep an eye on Taylor and his sweet girlfriend...they are the two blurry figures in the back!  :)

More pictures coming...this was just one of our gatherings.

the cutest spill you've ever seen...

The day the NCAA bracket was announced, Ben and I went over the Bobby and Kelli's to watch the blessed event.  While we were there, Gavin decided to swipe some of the adult snacks.  We were all laughing at how cute he looked toting around a Coke bottle and a large bag of pretzels.  At one point, the combination proved to be a bit too heavy and the items fell to the floor.  Then, in slow motion (it seemed), we watched as Gavin picked up the bag of pretzels from the wrong end.

He was far more concerned than any of us.  We couldn't get enough.

Then, without any prompting, the little man decided to pick up his mess...one pretzel at a time.

I love him!

my day in numbers...

A couple weeks ago I took a few notes at work.  The numbers jumped out at me.  So, it's my work-day for your viewing pleasure...I also included a few pictures.

• 28 new emails (as of 1:38 this afternoon)
• 1 T.A. who deserved congratulations for landing the lead role in Willy Wanka Jr.
• 3 "Frequent Flyer" issues - those students who have an excessive number of absences (22, 19, 20) and as a result, have failing or near-failing grades.  This means a lot of time was devoted to emailing parents, touching base with the attendance secretary and talking with other teachers to get their feedback.  Oh, and you'll be happy to know that one of these kids brought in a note asking to be excused from school for a week-long vacation.  Really?
• 7 requests to use the restroom (1 student asked twice).  When I told him to wait 10 minutes and then ask me, he totally forgot.
• 4 testing dates were scheduled (after school next week) for those who need to make-up missing work/exams
• 16 emails composed and sent out
• 62 vocabulary packets collected
• 62 vocabulary packets graded (see picture)

• 62 vocabulary packet scores were entered into the online gradebook
• 15 no-name assignments currently decorate the front of my classroom (they hang from the whiteboard)
• 11 miles to work, 11 miles home
• 1 class covered during my prep period (only about 15 minutes or so) due to a cheating student.  This young man decided to take pictures of his notes with his phone.  Then, when it was time for the test, he pulled out his cellular device and used those photos to help him ace the test.  Bummer for him that he got caught!
• 1 joke told by me (saw it on Facebook).  What do you call a short, fortune-teller who has escaped from jail?  A small medium at large.  :)
• 10.25 hours spent at work today (the view from my desk is pictured below) and I'm still taking 3 different assignments home to grade

• 1 incredibly supportive 7th grade team...I LOVE THEM SOOOOOOOO MUCH!
• 7 fun folks to sit with and enjoy lunch - away from the classroom and away from the chaos
• 6 years of teaching and I can't imagine doing anything else
• 68 days until summer though!  :)

as of late...

Life is busy, but full.  I am blessed beyond measure!

Don't judge, but here's our bedroom...right now!  We were house-sitting for my folks up until this last Monday night.  As a result, there are bags, clothes, shoes, books, slippers, and basketballs (?!?!) hanging out in our sleeping quarters.  Real nice.  (Can you tell that I've been putting in some long hours at work and choosing to spend time outside in the sunshine as opposed to picking things up and putting life back together?)

These little beauties are a new favorite of mine.  I was able to justify the purchase because our school colors are green and gold.  Every month we have a spirit day and these will be a perfect fit for the festivities.  That, and they came in handy for St. Patrick's Day.  :)

Sometimes I find myself needing a creative outlet when I've spent too many hours grading papers.  So, when I should be keeping up with lesson plans, I turn to this sort of thing.  Above, you'll find my first attempt at a hair accessory...I've played around with the design a few times and I think I like my more recent creations.  They still needs work though...

I am spending a TON of time with these young ladies.  Meet my 4 officers.  They are loads of fun, and together, we've done some new things around Maywood this year.  Right now, we're enjoying our own version of March Madness.  Today, we had a cheer competition at lunch and it far exceeded my expectations!  On Monday, we have a Slam Dunk Competition (you have to be the first one to take your tater tots, dunk them in ketchup, and eat 'em).  It's been a blast.  However, it's also been a bit time-consuming...worth every minute though.  :)

Playing around with my camera is still high on my list of things-to-do-in-order-to-avoid-grading.  Not that this is a great photo, but it clearly shows my need to keep learning!  :)  I also like it because of the cutie-patootie in the background...fuzzy as he may be.

Tomorrow the trimester ends and I couldn't be happier! 

Grades will be finished and that brings me even more joy!