2015 New Years Goals

I was inspired to blog and link up with the lovely Erica Bohrer from Erica's Ed-Ventures, a fellow New Yorker just like me!  I think it will be refreshing for me to take the time to write out my 2015 goals and reflect on what I would like to change or improve in my life.  It's also great to think about what I have accomplished as well - I don't give myself enough credit sometimes! ;)

This is probably the most difficult goal to think about, but I truly would like to limit my spending even more than I already do, continue to pay my bills on time, and continue to put more time and effort into Teachers Pay Teachers.  It's so hard to find time after teaching all day and cooking and cleaning and taking care of my little Lily, but I often find myself doing work anyways every evening, so why not apply that more to TPT and what I create? The worst is, I create for my kiddos and put it on TPT, and no one buys... but the positive side is if even one person buys, there I go :)

Money is tight, but maybe I can even save enough to do a nice vacation this summer.. not Vegas or anything, but a nice vacay within driving distance and treat myself a little! We will see :)

I always will strive to be the best teacher I can be.  In 2014, I have attended a number of professional development sessions and I want to continue to do this.  The best part is that my blogging friends have been the best resource for me with their experiences and knowledge.  I want to keep adding to my file, portfolio, and try at least 3 new teaching methods with my kids :) 

I have been very proud of myself the end of 2014 for improving my weight little by little and also changing my liver - it only took 4 years, but I am on the right path! I would love to continue to lose weight, gain more energy, and just feel more comfortable in my own skin.  It's TIME!  This goal is just as important to me as my financial goals - both are my necessities in my life xo

I will be 30 in 2015 and I still feel like I haven't "lived."  No big trips or big purchases... not a lot of time for myself - work, work, work.  So in 2015 I want to do more for myself, even if it is an hour here or there... I need to make time for myself.  Life is meant to be enjoyed :)  I am always worried about everyone else, and it's time for me to think about myself xo 

Have a wonderful 2015! Keep in touch with me--I love hearing from all of you!

Word work, goals, and more

Oh holy moly I am so glad it is Friday... I woke up this morning, and I said "Wow.. it has been quite the week." My kids did a Thanksgiving activity since it's around that time :) I found this turkey clipart on google, and just used it how I wanted to; for the kids to write what they are thankful for (very basic, but reflective when we talked about it).  I also let them glue on cute googly eyes :)

 

 

After Thanksgiving, Christmas is coming!! I am so very excited :) I already started decorating my apartment a teensy bit.. I found this cute snowman sign to hang up on my front door at the Dollar Tree - you really can find the cutest things there, especially for Holidays!!!

 

I also have pictures to share with you from my word work of my students...

I bought this set of stamp markers, and it was probably like 3-5 dollars at Walmart with alphabet stamps and other fun cute pictures... the only negatives: sometimes the stamps can come out messy, and they are really, really small! I still LOVE my big stamps from Really Good Stuff, and still will always choose those over this set, but at least it's another alternative for OLDER students.. definitely too small and messy for younger :)  Below are pictures of the Really Good Stuff stamps that I absolutely love.

Tip #1: After using stamps, make sure your students use a piece of paper to "blot" the stamps to make sure that there is no ink left on them. It will save your stamps and your ink pads from getting ruined  :)

Tip #2: When using the new marker stamps I purchased, make sure you use thicker paper or cardstock because it will go through the paper! :)

Another tip I have is for students to be creative and have fun with their word work... I always use dots on all of my writing and one of my students displayed the neatest writing with "dot" colored letters :) Love it!



 



Okay I did terrible on my goals... I did eat better but I only got to exercise twice this week, not three times.  The only goal I really got taken care of was to clean out my pile of clothes.  I have been very stressed lately and I am pretty sure I did not give myself anytime to relax every day.  Except during my favorite show, X Factor.  I don't have cable (to save money) but I do get the lower channels, so X Factor is pretty much the only show I follow right now.. how the times have changed! When I was younger, I never missed one of my episodes ever in all the 5-10 years they were on.. it was sick.  Some favorites I had were One Tree Hill, Real World/Road Rules Challenge, and things like that.  Oh, memory lane!! But anyways, on X Factor I do have many favorites that I am passionate about, but my favorite since the beginning has been Carly Rose Sonenclar. I am so glad the audience agrees with me and votes for her every week.  I'm such a dork, but I love her!!!


 

I am exhausted and it's only 9:45pm... I have to wait up very early to help set up for my school's Vendor Show.  I live at school each weekend it seems too.  I did make cute signs for the Vendor show though! I just need more free time, that's all.. hopefully I will get it during Thanksgiving!

Take care everyone!!

 

PS-THANK YOU FOR VOTING FOR ME FOR THE MARY KAY CONTEST! Out of thousands of people, I was voted into the TOP 100 FINALISTS! So thank you very very much :)