Second Year in Second Grade

I love the way I set my classroom up this year.

Now that I "know" what I am doing, I am able to use the space better!

On the right side is my guided reading table.  I have cubbies behind the table

that I store each groups daily work.  It works great!

My desk and computer is together with all of my files in one spot!

When we were on vacation this summer, I bought all of my students a book box.

They can put4-5 books of their choice to read during the Daily 5 "Read to Self."

I love my Bar stool that I got at a consignment store for $5!  What a bargain!!

Last year, one of my students bought me a rug from the Milliken Employee sale!  I LUV it!

The shelves house my library that is full of good books!  

(Thanks Papa Chuck for the generous donation to the classroom library!)!!

My 4 student computers face each other and I am able to use the space better!

What a fun Saturday!

First we went to the "Twin Sale" and I found the following for $47.50

8 pairs of size 8 jeans

4 pairs of size 8 shorts

4 pairs of capris

2 size 14 jeans

In my opinion "I racked up!"

Then we went to Home Depot to make the FREE workshop craft. It was a nascar car! They were thrilled! We saw Muffin Top's husband there with their two children!

After that we came home and had PB&j and tomato soup. Again they were thrilled!

Then we put on our PJs and I took them around noon to Brusters for a FREE Ice Cream Waffle Cone - their own cone and they did not have to share! Again they were thrilled!

I had read on a board that CVS had marked their Perfume and Cologne sets down to 90%, but they were not marked (unadvertised sale). So while they were ssslllooowwwlllyyy finishing their cones, . we went to CVS to check it out. Again they were thrilled! Well what did I find you ask?

The MotherLoad! No one else in my little town knew about the deal, so we racked up! Boy Do We Smell Goooood! I saved a couple for gifts, but the rest we are adding to my stockpile garage sale I am planning in a few weeks!

I cleaned my closet out for the garage sale! That was no small task. My garage is going to be filled with junk and stockpile!

Tonight we have the Upwards basketball banquet (free dinner).

So overall this has been a very productive and FREE kind of day!

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Go Green TODAY!

Don't miss another Christmas Special!

I found this great site has a TV listing of Christmas Shows, Movies, Cartoons, Concerts, Parades, etc... all suitable for the Family throughout the months before Christmas ~ December 25th, 2007!

If you have a DVR or Tivo This is a valuable site!

Organizing Coupons

I saw a good friend at the DQ today! Seeing someone at the DQ - doesn't that sound like a country song :)!

I showed her my "Dorthy-Basket" and thought I would share it with you! I also read a great post on a real cheap organizer!


I took small invitation size envelopes from WalMart and made categories. I file all food items in the front A-Z then I file all toiletries, medicines and cleaners (A-Z). I am not sure where the basket came from, but I know it was from a gift somewhere along the way (meaning I did not buy it).

When I get the sales flyer's I sit down and collect all the coupons for that store and place them in the blue file-pack. I take the file pack into the store and leave the basket in the car. I always take my basket in the car (I treat it like my purse, taking it everywhere). If I get into the store and find a clearance item and know I have a coupon, I have been known to leave my buggy and go out to the car for a coupon. May sound extreme to some, but would you throw a quarter in the trash, I think not!!! Since I am showing pictures, I thought I would share my big comfy chair where I clip and watch Oprah and eat bon-bons! I love my chair, I call it my-space!

I also wanted to share two websites that I check all the time COUPON MOM and REFUNDCENTS. You have to subscribe to Refund Cents, but I felt it was worth it!! Coupon Mom is just like the Grocery Game, but free! I hope this helps you with your coupons! I love saving money!

Organizing One Room At A Time

Clean Up Clean Up, Everybody Do your Part... If you unfortunately remember the Barney Banjo, you probably remember that song!

Oh my their rooms were a wreck. No I did not take a BEFORE picture and not even sure I would have posted one. It was that bad. My girls are PACK RATS! Give them a pack of paper, scissors and some tape and they will flat go to town. I have never in all my life. I know my room growing up NEVER looked like that because I was 15 before I was allowed to have my own scissors. And I know Rose would have never given us scotch tape to play with.


Anyways, I made my son mad because I complained so much about the clutter and junk in his room. Everything I handed him and said "put it somewhere or I am going to throw it away" ended up on his top bunk that use to be reserved for only Lego's. He busted out crying when I said "okay, lets now clean the top bunk." I am so mean...

The girls have made toys, food, signs, you name it out of paper and taped it around their room. I know technically this is my fault because I allow crafts into their room but OMG, there are limits for everything. Every time they slowed up I got louder and more demanding. I know I am mean, but "there is no way Santa is bringing another item into this house with it the way it looks." Okay, so you can hear me saying that out loud. I know they sure did...the entire time we were cleaning up.
Here are a few AFTER pictures. I know you are probably thinking AFTER pictures, yes there is still clutter and junk, but after two bags busting at the seams I had to stop. Even I felt guilty.
Check out the girls closet. Every animal except the Webkins must stay in there or I am throwing them out. (I will not really throw them out, I always have someone I can donate to). By the way, Daddy, they want you to build steps for the bookcases so they can make bunk beds out of them for their Webkin's. Good Luck with that project ;)

Awareness

Let's Go Ladies.......today is the day - your other monthly reminder!

Ho Ho Ho

Are you starting to think about CHRISTmas? I found this great post and had to share! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! Do you have a family tradition? I would love to hear about it!

Every year I try to make a meaningful CHRISTmas card. Some years it has turned out better than others. I already have the wording for this years card and I think I have decided on the picture. Now I need to put it all together. It's only November 9th!

This year we are going skiing before Christmas so I need to get moving! I am loosing several days this shopping season. I also want to decorate the house the week of Thanksgiving. We are going to my Aunt's and my Mother-In-Laws so I do not have to do a big lunch this year and can start earlier!!! Husband will be thrilled :)

You know how frugal and organized I am, I think I want to ask for a label maker this year. Just think of all the things I could label! Pantry, storage bins in the girls closet (that I have not organized yet...) That could be BIG fun!

What is on your CHRISTmas list?

Christmas Present Idea

I want to make a few of these hard back books! They look great!

Angela at mommy bytes is giving away six HP Photo Books.

I also plan to decorate paint cans that were never used. You wrap a 12x12 piece of paper around them (one for top and coordinating one for the bottom half). Then you put ribbon around the middle - SUPER CUTE! Really fun for Teacher's gifts! If I finish ONE I'll post a picture!

Organizing One Room At A Time

I am getting organized with Organized Junkie!
I am going to organize my storage pantry and my girls bedroom. I have a couple of clever ideas that I hope to pull off.

First I have to remember to take BEFORE pictures. I will keep you posted on my progress. I really should tackle our walk-in attic, but that is too much work!

If you decide to take the challenge let me know! I could use the motivation! You know how competitive I am! ;)

Annoying Phone Calls

REMINDER....all cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sale calls.

....YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS

To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone:


888-382-1222

It is the National DO NOT CALL list. It will only take a minute of your time. It blocks your number for five (5) years. You must call from the cell phone number you want to have blocked (or you home phone). You cannot call from a different phone number. You can also go to www.donotcall.gov to register.

Frugal Fridays

This is my first Frugal Friday Post!
Chick-Fil-a has a free Dr. Pepper and a chance to win everyday until November 11th.


5 Minutes For Mom had a post about making scrapbooks online and they had a 20% off coupon! I have made one through Walgreens for my MIL and she loved it! I will be making more of these!

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Book Swap
I love this site! It normally cost me $2.15 to mail 3-5 books. I have received so many "Free" books this way! All you pay for is the media mail postage! Check it out!
For more great ideas check out biblical womanhood

Monday Moments

Okay two weeks ago I started clipping coupons again FOR REAL! And I have had the best time. Now I know I may be alone in this, but saving a great deal of money on something I have to do is so empowering! I was with my Mom this weekend and bought TWO Sunday papers ($2.50) for an extra $.50. Now the Pillsbury Roll coupon savings paid for my extra paper alone! I wish I had OUR new camera, the children were at the kitchen table reading ads and cutting coupons with me. Husband even got in on the act and cut out a few! He was mocking me, but still he clipped a few!

I have a simple coupon organizer that I labeled according to the store layout (of course) and carry it in the car at all times! You never know when you'll find yourself Krogering! I also have a second coupon holder that I use for restaurants and other stores. There was a great Micheal's and Hobby Lobby coupon on Sunday!
Anyways, I do not have a plan for all this money I am planning to save! With Christmas right around the corner I Sure could use some FUN money!!!

I will tell you our big gift this year for the children is going to be a Wii. I have been researching it and really feel it is going to be a hot item and limited. SO, if this is also on your list I would not wait until the end of November!

I walked this morning with Apple-Dumplin' and Saggy Boobs! They said my CHUNKY-butt was looking smaller!!!! How exciting is that! I know I have a ways to go, but anything is such a moral booster! Husband and I are going to North Carolina at the end of this month for a business meeting! My goal is another 5lbs!

My son found out on Friday that he made the Academic Team! I am so proud of him! We will find out next Thursday at Open House what all is involved! The girls are both running for student council. They are in separate classrooms this year for the first time. This may be the first time one wins and the other does not...
I'll keep you posted on the DRAMA...

DeCluttering My Life

DeCluttering My Life is no small task!! I ran across this post and had to share it with you!

Everyday I try to focus on one room and in that room I focus on one project! I am so ADD I could have 10 projects going if I don't keep myself under control! You know I am a "list" kind of girl and always have one going, so I have started adding my daily chore to that list. Seems to work so far! I'll let you know in another month!