Groovy Classroom

I'm using my favorite 60's-70's theme for my classroom this year again. I have many new ideas including these really darling paper plate creations. Can't you just see them in psychedelic colors?
I found them on One Pretty Thing and then linked to the directions. Creative Jewish Mom
makes some really great things. I'm really enjoying her site.

A Little Brown Adds Interest

I've had these prints for years. I loved the weathered look of the frames, but then I bought this print for the bathroom.

I really like the fresh modern look of the brown. So I decided to mix things up a bit. No white, no cream, no black. Shocking I know. LOL.

Isn't that an attractive picture?
Out came the spray paint by Rustoleem. I really enjoy the fresh look of everything. It pops against the beadboard in my cottage bathroom.

I had to take a close up of this storeage solution. I bought them at QVC about ten years ago and I love them! They can hang horizontal or vertical. Please tell me what you think of the changes. I little paint make everything seem new again.

Bird Linky Party

I decided to join the Feathered Friends Party hosted by The Shabby Chic Cottage. I'd been thinking about posting my little birdie friends for some time and this seemed the right time. I'm posting late, but please give me some comment love. Prior to my love of Blogging, I love my little feathered friends. I've enhanced by collection with searching blogs. Thank you all you wonderful blogs.

This little bird is tucked into one of my green plants.

I painted this white. It was gold and black. Much better white.

A sweet little tray purchased at a discount store.

I purchased these little birds from the dollar store. They were bright and ugly. Now sweet and pretty.
This is a three tier shelf where I put my cardinals. These birds are not cardinas but go well with the others.I don't buy every cardinal I see. They have to speak to me.
Lastly a little bird house.

This was fun. Thank you for stopping by.

D.I.Y.D. by Kimba, Welcome

This is my first post in so long. I hope you enjoy it, and leave me a message. I've been visiting blogs, but have had little time to do anything with mine. I decided to take the plunge and link up to Do It Yourself Day hosted by Kimba. I do all my own decorating. I purchased a large metal tray last summer. It was scratched and the paint was wearing off. I've since lost the before picture. Trust me it was ugly. First, I painted it black and tried to do a mosaic effect with paper. Hated IT!
Last week I took Valspar spray paint, and transformed it to a creamy white. Almost like Heirloom white. I decoupaged scrapbook paper to it from HL. Added some ribbon. And wow, I really like it. What do you think?
It sits on a Chinese chest that I inherited from my Grandfather.

The little plate above it, is milk glass from my grandmother.

Picked up the serenity prayed from Kohl's

Now I need to add some decorations on the tray. Any suggestions? it's in by bedroom. The walls are a softer blue than they appear in the photos. Thank you for visiting, I'll try to be a better blogger. School starts in two weeks and I appear to manage my time better then. Plus I enjoy writing about my classroom also.
Trudi

Art Fire

I was doing a search for jewelry making and stumbled upon Art Fire. It's similar to Etsy. They have a short video explaining the differences. I think it's great there's another option. More to shop for too. Here are a few things I copied for you to see.

This plate is darling. Very blog landish. Is that a word? LOL

Happy Shopping!

Overstock purchase!

I've wanted some good quality curtains for my windows in the bedroom. I wanted a white cotton panel. Nothing fussy... beachy quality if you know what I mean. My current panels are from Walmart. There's nothing wrong with them, they are not cotton. I wanted cotton.
I've never purchased from Overstock, but I took the plunge. I could not be more happy. I got these beauties for 25.00 a pair. A pair people, I've been shopping around and most panels are sold individually. Yikes. ( I must confess that I'm not much of a curtain person. Something I'm just taking the plunge in... I like good made blinds. ) When I opened the package I was prepared to be disappointed, but I wasn't. I honestly believe they are from Pottery Barn or some where similar. They are so well made and such good quality. Soon they will go up.
First I'm painting my living room. New furniture from Lazy Boy that I've been waiting for for five years. Yes, five years. Here's the link for the panels and a few more I think are great buys. The stripes are subtle.
Take me to these panels.
Pretty Black and White Panels.

I'm going to try some of the Nester's Mistreatments also. I have the fabric, just need to get the stinkin' living room painted first. LOL.

Free Glidden Paint

I've never used Glidden paint, but I decided to take their offer. I can't pass up free.
Visit their site, pick a color, and it's at your door in three to four week. How cool is that?

FMMonday, I am thankful

Kasey at All That is Good sponsors a Friend Making Monday. She make little challenges and then you link up to make new friends and find out little tid-bits about them. You post her challenge and then link to her site. Hopefully new friends will stop by. Read more about it on her blog.
Today I am suppose to list 10 things I am grateful for:

• I am thankful that I caught my higher than normal blood sugar, before it turned into full blown diabetes. Maybe I can prevent it.
• I am so glad I have a great friendship with my mom. She makes me laugh.
• I am so thankful I have a good job in Elkhart county. Have you read about us in the national new. It was the first place President Obama spoke after his election.
• I am so thankful to my grandparents for helping me through college. I am so blessed to work with special needs students.
• I am thankful that Ballstate is offering courses in autism. It's such a high need area. Interesting too.
• I am very grateful to my husband, he is my best friend.
• I love my pups so very much.
• I am so fortunate to have a home, health care, vehicles, and a sense of well-being.
• I am thankful for all of my friends and co-workers.
• I am thankful it is spring and a sign of rebirth.

Please join in for some fun and some new friends. That's what blogging is all about for me!

Hooked on a Life Change

For the last couple of weeks I've been focused on my health. I am taking an on-line class and my eyes were very tired. I'm also 40+4. I thought I was "43" in January, but I am ^*&^*. I just can't bear to say it. However my body has decided to oh so kindly remind me that I am 44! There! I said it, and I doesn't make me feel any better.
Well back to my story. Went to the eye doctor. Yeah, new trendy glasses. Well not only did I get my new trendy glasses, I got the diagnosis of Cataracts. Now I'm saying WHAT I'M ONLY 44!
See how my attitude changed there? They are called Subcapsular Cataracts. They are usually caused by steroid use or diabetes. I don't have either issue I tell the Doctor... and she assures me healthy people can get them too. Now there was a little voice telling me, I should get my sugar tested... I am doctor phobic, by the way. So I called, made the appointment, was assured that the likely hood of me being even pre-diabetic was slim next to none. Or so we all thought, until last Wed. So tomorrow I start one pill a day, check my blood sugar one time a day, and change my life style. Then in a week I go to classes for diabetics. The life style change is a positive, and I know I can do it. But I still have this nagging feeling what if it doesn't work? Here's my goal, no pills by the end of July and 15 pounds lighter. Is it doable??? I pray it is. I know things could be much worse, but for me, this is the most I've faced with my health.
My mom makes my laugh, she tells me "think how upset you would be about the cataracts and sugar levels if you were only 43. lol, Thanks mom for making me smile.
Books I just got from my hooked on post last time Amazom . I didn't purchase any of the "miracle books" that will come from prayer and positive thinking.
Thank you Julie for hosting Hooked on Fridays. They are great fun. I love visiting all the posts.
You all have a great and health weekend.

Fashions I Need...Want

I know I should be thinking about sandals. But I've wanted a pair of boots all winter. I love this pair and they are a great price. They are at Target

I really need and want this jean jacket. It's a great price too. I work in a school, and I never know if it's going to be warm or cold in my classroom, so I always layer. It's at Walmart.

I just discovered this Etsy shop called AdornMe Jewelry. I love this style and I really want these... LOL

• Several new white Ts.
• A pink fly away sweater, can't find one, but want one.
• Rain Coat, Lands End has a cute one.
• Couple new scarves to tie as belts.
• Jean skirt, again Lands End.

What do you need, I mean want for Spring?

Spring Is In The Air

I think it's wishful thinking in our area, but spring is coming. Twenty things I love about spring.

1- The dirty snow melts.
2- The rain cleans the earth.
3- Little buds peaking out of the ground.
4- The first signs of green on the trees. It's just that little hint of green.
5- The birds chirping in the morning.
6- The fresh smell of spring.
7- The excitement that's felt on the first few warm days. Everyone's outside.
8- Prepping the garden for annuals.
9- Sweet beautiful daffodils.
10- A crisp clean home.


11- The anticipation of our boat in the water.
12- Sunny mornings when I drive to work.
13- Spring Break, yes I'm a teacher.
14- Fleshly painted toes and sandals.
15- Long walks outside.


16- Seeing the pure delight of my pups playing outside.
17- Home improvements we planned all winter.
18- Fresh air and open windows.
19- My first siting of a cardinal.
20- The blessings of good health and a fresh new season.

I feel fortunate to live in an area that has all for seasons to the fullest. I love each one. What is your favorite season and why?

A Note From My Desk: A Small Classroom Business

I was very fortunate for years to work in a system that gave us money for Community Instruction. With all the budget cuts, the money is 1/4 what it was several years ago. Also my class is 1/4 larger. We have made little crafts throughout the year and sold them to staff and family to fund some community outings. Scrapbook tools work awesome for the kids. For Valentines Day we sold carnations for $1.00 each. The kids cut tags, rubber stamped them, and glued little hearts to them.

Learning Objectives:

• Students will work with each other using soft voices.
• Students will follow directions.
• Students will sort items according to color.
• Students will demonstrate fine motor skills by gluing and rubber stamping.
• Students will measure ribbon and tie it on tags and flowers.
• Students will communicate with peers when taking orders and handing out flowers.

The sale was a huge success. We plan to do it again next year. In the very near future, we will take the kiddos to Ci Ci's Pizza for a community outing.

350 Carnations came in that teeny tiny box. The students trimmed the stems, and the adults fluffed the petals.

These tags look so pretty and colorful. I'm so thankful we did this community job. Here are some links about community based instruction for your reading pleasure.

Link I
Link II
Link III
LinkIV

Hooked on Amazon

I am hooked on Amazon. I live in a moderately sized town; however we do not have a good bookstore. We have a small, very small Walden's bookstore. They only have the latest novels and magazines. (The magazines that are surviving the economy that is...)
I'm taking on-line classes at Ballstate University so I also have to purchase textbooks for that purpose.
The answer to all my prayers and needs is Amazon. I am so HOOKED! A book is just a click, search and purchase away. About two days later, I have my beloved books sitting right there on my door step. I also like the Safari Book Shelf they offer for blogs. It's great.
Here's my recent purchase the above book which I am also Hooked on. Have a great weekend.
Honey and I are going to the Chicago Car Show for the night.

Please Read...I have to ask... Is anyone having trouble with pictures on a new post? I get all the data in computer lingo, but no picture until I post. I couldn't move my picture of the book to the bottom of my post today. Any help? Please :)

My Family of Fur

I don't have children of my own. I have a step son with my husband. Junior and he's multi handicapped.
Once my husband and I decided to get married we got a dear little puppy. He's the light of my life. Here's Bailey... He knows how to use his good looks to get his way. Baily needed a brother, so along came the "little man", Roscoe, six months later. Please don't tell him he's a little dog.Bailey is in the back ground. Do you see him? I know... I know what you are thinking. We thought the same thing. The boys needed a sister. They need a black sister. Introducing our princess, Alison.The whole fur family. They think they are a reversed Oreo cookie. See the resemblance?Roscoe, Alison, and Bailey.