Things I Learned While Off Track

1. Cutting is a very soothing thing for me...Thanks Balanced Literacy class for teaching me that if ever I can't sleep I will just cut things out until I drift into a blissful slumber.

2. I hate needy boys...Geez! Grow a pair would you?

3. There needs to be an Internet course for how to drive on snowy days. Yes, I'm talking you little Miss I-Have-A-Huge-SUV-So-Obviously-I-Can-Still-Drive-At-Freeway-Speeds-In-A-Blizzard.

4. While we're on Internet courses, there should also be a class for awkward LDS guys. There are two extremes when it comes to these men boys--weeny and jerk-face. Since I am now 9 credit hours smarter (thanks MEd.!), I'd be happy to teach it. All I need is a tweed blazer with patches on the elbows.

5. Every time I make dinner for myself, someone else invites me to dinner. Because I love people inviting me to dinner (and paying), I will now make dinner but wait a few minutes before I eat.

6. When I was little I was always overjoyed by the fact that it snowed and my parents were always ornery that it snowed. I now understand their orneriness.

7. Finding the perfect present is super difficult but so worth the work.

8. I'm so glad I don't have to be in school during December...especially such a frigidly cold one! Schools have had so many inside day this month. Inside days = Worst. Thing. Ever.

9. Slipping on ice hurts your ego more than your body.


10. Drilling holes in cabinets to attach lovely hardware is super easy (if you measure correctly, see #13).

11. Crazy morning hair IS a short hair thing...it happens to all of us.

12. In-n-Out is good but not THAT good.

13. I suck at crafts because I hate to measure.

14. Though stepping into a bucket of wet paint sounds like a blast, IT'S NOT.

15. When painting a ceiling, always look down before you take a step (see #14).

16. Hot glue, old books, and acrylic paints make for a super cute wreath.

17. As grandma/married couple as it sounds, I'd rather sleep through New Year's celebrations...the holiday is so hyped up and never lives to the expectations.

18. A month filled with holidays and home projects vanishes before you get anything done.

19. I judge people based on their grammar when on Facebook or blog stalking. Yep, I'm talking to you. By the way, see's = see is. That does not make sense. Take a minute to reread and spell check...Thank you!*

20. As much as I miss my students, I'm not ready for this break to be over and I do not want to go back tomorrow.


*If there are EVER grammatical errors in my posts, PLEASE let me know. I don't want you to judge me like I judge you. :)

2009 is Over

Happy New Year!

Wreaths Apparently Make Me Super Happy

I am in love love love with the book wreath I made.

See! Isn't it the cutest ever?




It's amazing. I don't know where I'll hang it yet but it's freaking fantastic.

Big thank you to Living with Lindsay and her great tutorial on how to make the wreath.

Here are the reasons I like this so much and why it turned out looking good:

1. NO MEASURING!

2. The steps are roll and glue. The end. Love it!

3. Hot glue is my friend (except when the bugger burns the crap out of my finger tips).

4. It was super cheap...under $3 but would have been $1 if I had the acrylic paint.

5. It matches my color scheme in my house...Just wait, the pictures of the paint, curtains, throw pillows and other decor coming soon.

6. It was super easy.

Book Wreath

Oh.My.Heck.

I'm so making one of these wreaths.

And guess what, I have plenty of old books sitting around my house. Instead of these books taking a trip to the D.I., they'll be taking a trip onto my wall.

Wahoo crafts!

Just Do This...

Call the Nestle Crunch Hot line at 1-800-295-0051. When you are asked if you want to continue in English or Spanish, just wait quietly for about 10 seconds and you will get a good laugh. Then press 4 for options and go through the menu. So funny!

"I'm Going to High Five the Crap Out of Your Mouth."

My sister's friend said that today.

I just wanted to remember.

Head Sweaters

You've probably noticed these...

if you don't live under a rock. My question is "Why are they so cool?"

While shopping today I counted 26...26!...people wearing these things. I'm sure there were more but I was busy finding amazing deals on things people didn't want before Christmas.

Do you really want to cover your ears with a headband?

Why do you also cover your forehead with a headband?

While you're thinking about that, why do you cover your hair with a headband?

And what are they called? My sisters and I labeled them "Head Sweaters."





BTW, I'll probably be wearing one of these within a few months.

Scary Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

I was just checking out Sketchy Santas. If you are going to see Santa and he looks anything like one of these guys,



YOU NEED TO GET OUT! Something bad is going to happen.

And by the way, many of these Sketchy Santa pictures are sketchy because of the person sitting on Santa's lap, not the Santa. Like this one for example:

(all photos courtesy of Sketchy Santas)

P.S. Santa

If you can find it in your budget this year, I'd also like a car with 4 wheel drive and wind shield wipers that work. I think this would work:

Saul the Saturn is hating this snow and ice.

Sew Easy!

I made the scarf and it was actually pretty easy. For those of you who actually know how to sew, you could probably do it while grilling salmon, sorting your recycling, and teaching your cute baby to speak Mandarin Chinese.

Here are some tips that will make your life easier if you decide to follow this tutorial (hurry! It's only up for a limited time!) and make your own:

1. Have one of these mat things.


2. Use this kind of cutter (not crappy scissors).


3. Measure.

4. Don't get as impatient as I got and just hurry through it.

5. Did I say measure?

6. Actually plan out where you want your ruffles. Don't just start sewing.

Well, here it is, my so cute scarf. Thanks for the great idea Vanessa!



I tried to do a full body model-esque shot by using my self timer but I kept getting weird angles and headless shots so I did this instead.

Crafty Blog Ladies

I am OBSESSED with crafty blogs.

I think my fascination with these wonderful crafts comes from the fact that I cannot do crafts well so I like to look at all these lovely things and pretend that "if I had time" I'd totally be able to make things of the same caliber.

The first crafty blog I found was Made. Dana is a freaking crafting/sewing genius! I blogged about her so cute stuff here.

Dana is now a part of So You Think You're Crafty. This is a competition in which the 10 crafty bloggers are given a theme and they have to make something to go with that theme. This lovely blog has introduced me to Vanessa at V and Co, Mique at 30 Days, Marilyn at Krafy Mum, Jill at Homemade by Jill, Jessica at Happy Together, Dana at Made, Alish and Whitney at Sisters Stuff, Lindsey at Inspiring Creations, Kathleen at Katydid and Kid, and Ashley at Little Blue Boo.

After the last two themes (Winter and Mittens), I love Vanessa of V and Co. She makes such cute things. I've decided to take her winning entry for the Mittens theme, The Perfect Accessory for Your Mittens Scarf, and make it for me. If it's as easy as it looks you'll probably get one for next Christmas. Please forget that you just read that last line.

I'll show you the results when I'm done.

Wish me luck!

Friend Request Pending, Miss J.

A current student requested me as a friend on Facebook today.

I think my principal may think it's inappropriate for me to befriend this girl AND because I have the website to my blog on my account, she'd probably read through this whole thing and that's WAY too much information for any student of mine to know.

Writing is Like Ice Skating

Remember how I told you here that you could donate to my classroom at this website? And remember how you all ran to grab your debit cards then ran to donate to my classroom cause?

Well, guess what! My project was fully funded. Merry (early) Christmas to me and my students!

Thank you if you donated and if not, thank you for just reading. I know this is a difficult year for many people financially and I truly am grateful for any support you give your local school, both in time and money.

I Put You on the Streets

I know you've all probably seen this a million times but I just watched it again while I was waiting for my final class of the semester to start and I was reminded how ridiculously funny it is.

I present to you, for the one-million-and-oneth time, The Landlord:

***WARNING: A baby swears multiple times in this video. If that is offensive to you, please do not watch this.***

The Landlord from Will Ferrell