Excuse my appearance

It's been way too long since I posted on here.  While I've been away an entire summer has passed, a new school year is in full swing and I've embarked on a "feel good" adventure!  What's that? You want me to tell you what it is?  Are you really still reading?


If so, thank you...I'm still a newbie trying to figure this blogging thing out.  While I'm attempting this whole blog torture designing thing, I've been working on a mission to anonymously deliver happiness to teachers while they are at school.  I call it "Smile Sparkle Inspire" and it's my way of letting a teacher know that he or she is appreciated.  I also offer the opportunity for the recipient to pay it forward by submitting the name of a teacher (and his or her school) that could benefit from a similar surprise.  I'll be sharing more details about this feel good mission of mine in the near future but in the meantime get up to date news about "Smile Sparkle Inspire" by following me on Instagram (@4sheilak) and by searching and using the hashtag #SmileSparkleInspire whenever you want to share something awesome...I'd love your support!

I can't wait for you to see this blog looking all sparkly and gorgeous so be sure to follow me by submitting your email address over on the right side column before leaving.  You are not going to want to miss any of the posts designed to make YOU SMILE, to offer YOU all things SPARKLY and to provide YOU with INSPIRATION!! 

Sincerely,
~Sheila 

Tuesday Tidbits...Thought I would share some miscellaneous and random stuff that makes this chick tick (the teacher in me wants to so badly point out and giggle that those two words rhyme, so there I said it...now let's move on).  Here are a few of my guilty pleasures - some corny teacher ones and some "just plain 'ole me" ones.  

Mark your Calendar for June 9th!  And if you don't have an old fashioned paper calendar then this is your lucky day!  Have you heard of Erin Condren?  As a teacher, I just love stationary and I felt like a pirate who just found the hidden treasure when I discovered this site a little over a year ago.  I have had both the Life Planner and the Teacher Planner and can't imagine life without either.

Life Planner

Teacher Planner

These are my planners from this past year.  So excited to see what's in store with the new line.  

What's your favorite type of planner; either for personal use or school?

Inspiration and Gratitude - I've been reading a lot about the two and have found myself drawn to beautiful images I often see on Facebook by Rose Hill Design Studio.  It's amazing how just one picture with a few simple words can change your whole mindset for the day.  What makes you happy?

Monthly Subscriptions  Have you ever taken part in any of these?  My first experience was with Birchbox and then with Bezzle Box.  The premise is the same - pay a monthly fee and receive goodies delivered right to your door.  I don't know about you but as an adult it seems like the only thing that comes in the mail is a bunch of bills or advertisements so the thought of getting a package in the mail brought back the little girl excitement in me of "getting mail."  I currently am subscribed to a monthly Stitch Fix delivery.  I receive five items of clothing based on a profile I filled out online and for $20 bucks I have my own personal shopper selecting items for ME!  I try on the items and if I like the items, I can purchase them (minus the $20 styling fee); if I love all 5 I get 25% off my purchase and if the image in the mirror is telling me "to send them back girl, that stylist needs glasses!" then I simply place everything in the enclosed prepaid envelope and owe nothing.  I have mixed feelings about it; some of my fixes have been fabulous while others were down right hideous.  I just saw a new clothing subscription called LeTote...have any of you tried this one yet?  Is it worth it?  

Awaiting my June fix...stay tuned for my review!

Lipstick or Lipgloss?  I am obsessed with Urban Decay's  lipgloss.  I mean like in the sense of I CAN'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT; I have one in my purse, one in my desk at school, one I keep at home with my make-up and one in my tote.  Seriously, I think I have a problem-haha

Season Finale...what?!?! There are only two shows that I make time to watch during the school year; The Blacklist and Younger.  The Blacklist just finished it's second season and what a show it is.  I mean with characters like the FBI's most wanted fugitive Red Reddington (played by James Spader), FBI agent Elizabeth Keen (Megan Boone) and chameleon/Liz's husband/ex-husband Tom Keen (Ryan Eggold) would you expect anything other than endless twists and turns in this high action drama that keeps you wondering and wanting more!  Younger is a new show that premiered this Spring starring Hilary Duff and Sutton Foster and has this suburban mama ready to move to Brooklyn and lie about her age...hehe.  Who wouldn't want to relive some "younger" days but with all that we know now.  Fun, light hearted show filled with laughs. Check it out tonight...only two episodes left for the season.

So what's a girl to do once her two favorite shows are gone for the summer?  I bet you're thinking well go enjoy some summer reading by the beach, you're a teacher, you've got all summer off...right? Well yes & no.  No because many of us teachers do still work during the summer planning for the new school year.  And yes cause we also get some well deserved time away from the classroom (you try spending your days with a room full of six year olds and no bathroom break till 10:30 regardless of how many cups of coffee you drank before school...are you ready to campaign for an extended summer vacation now? haha).

I am totally addicted to Big Brother each and every summer.  I'm not sure why I enjoy it so much but I do!!  I've even contemplated more than once about trying out for the show.  For those that aren't familiar with the show, it's involves a bunch of mostly younger good looking strangers that are forced to live together all summer with no connection to the outside world, all the while one house guest gets voted out by the others every week.  There's lots of backstabbing, lying drama all for a chance to be the last one standing and win the half million dollar prize.


Well I have two hours to put in report card grades, complete some grad class work and get things ready for my daughter's field trip that I'm chaperoning tomorrow before Younger comes on...catch ya later.  So thankful for all of you that are visiting my blog!!

Nine more school days!  Yes, only 9 more days and I have so much to do (it will all work out and it will get done, right?!).  If you're anything like me, you have a bunch billion things on your to do list before it's time to say goodbye to the kiddies, leave the classroom for the summer and say HELLO SUMMER.

As a primary teacher, summer vacation is really just a great disguise for "time to begin prepping and preparing for a new year."  Yes, I see you smirking...you know I'm right, admit it-lol!  I must confess I love, love, love planning for the new school year but I also torture myself with wanting to "re-do" my room and give it a make-over.  Do any of you also suffer from this insanity?  I keep telling myself each year will get easier with less to do over the summer but every June I begin flipping through those teacher supply books, spending more time on pinterest and having a lot more time to read fellow teacher blogs.  And guess what?  I find so many great ideas and inspiration that I simply must bring some of these ideas into my classroom.  After all, don't my new firsties deserve it?  Well at least that's how I convince myself (and my wallet...shhh!).  So with so many things going on as I wrap up another year I thought it would only make sense to share some of my favorite bloggers and websites which have some great end of year posts.  Be warned, it can be addicting...

A few of my favorites:

First Grade Wow If you haven't checked out her site yet, you need to!  She posts so many great ideas and all of her units are FREE!!  No that's not a typo; she really does.

Tunstall Times  Reagan Tunstall is simply ah-maze-ing!! She is one of my go-to gals whenever I'm looking for ideas for a new unit or concept or just a fun idea.  Her products on TPT are fabulous and never disappoint.  I have could spend hours just reading though her blog and soaking up all that she shares.

Gladys over at Teaching in High Heels is another must.  She just posted about new products from CTP  that I am drooling over!  Have I ever mentioned my obsession for stationary and school supplies?

I get weak in the knees and my heart starts pumping when it comes to organization; especially labels and containers.  I think it's a teacher thing...or at least I hope I'm not the only one that gets like this.  Ladybug's Teacher files has some great products in this area.

Cara Carroll over at The First Grade Parade just posted about summer reading level and lists that she sends home at the end of the year.  Cara is another one of my go-to gals for everything!

Jodi Southard from Fun in First Grade has a cute end of year memory book.

Another fab-o blogger with out of this world ideas and products is Erica Bohrer.

If you've never checked out Schoolgirl Syle oh-my-word...this is classroom decor heaven!  I get a little overwhelmed visiting this site because of all the "must have" heavenly goodies she offers.

Well just like I said above, it can be addicting and I could go on forever with the blogs and websites that inspire me and motivate me to be the very best teacher I can be...but that extremely long "to-do" list is screaming my name so off I go to tackle it!  Enjoy the links above and be sure to come back and visit soon.  Adios!

The beginning of a whole new world...blogging!

Hi & welcome to my blog! I am a first grade teacher and would not want to be teaching any other grade; it truly is number one in my book!  I am so excited, nervous, proud that I have finally decided to join the blogging world.  Where do I begin?  Well, I guess like anything else...it's best to rewind all the way to the beginning; but which beginning?  There have been a lot of beginnings for me. I'm sure many of you can relate.

So which beginning? ugh, this is harder than I thought.  Since I'm a first grade teacher let's begin with...Once upon a time there was a girl (certainly not a princess-haha) that thought she wanted to be a lawyer so she went to college, majored in pre-law and was ready to head off to law school.  But before she would graduate, she fell in love.  I know what you're thinking; but no, there's no prince charming...for this gal it was the love of teaching!  Crazy, right?  I had been asked to tutor many of  the business classes that I was taking as electives and I caught the bug; I really enjoyed teaching!  The fact that I was also a stationary addict certainly didn't hurt either.  Just put me in an aisle with pens, post-it notes and folders and watch out...I can't contain myself.  Where was I?  Geez, just the mention of school supplies and I get excited and can't concentrate!

Fast forward ahead some fourteen years and my castle, home is now filled with my two teenage daughters, Kara and Marissa, my son Chad, my husband, my two furbaby Chihuahuas Oreo and Cocoa and the queen of the felines, aka my cat Sassy.

 I am looking forward to venturing into this amazing blogging world.  I have always loved following many of my fellow teacher bloggers and will certainly be looking to them for inspiration and guidance.  I'm not sure where this journey will take me but I'm thrilled at the possibilities.  So with that, I'll call it a night and make it official with my first post!  Nighty, Nighty:)