It’s Saturday.
And two weeks from Monday, the kids arrive. At school.
I am mildly freaking out. Just a little.
But I haven’t had one of my Back to School Nightmares where the kids band together and take over the classroom and I can’t get out or get away and then my principal comes in to observe me while they run amuck. There’s that one and then I also always have one where I have been told I am moving to upper grade and I have less than a day to get the classroom ready and IT’S UPPER GRADE and I do not know what to do and I can’t even the move the desks because they are GIGANTIC.
I think the reason I haven’t had the Back to School Nightmares yet is because you have to sleep in order to have a nightmare. And I’m not doing a good job of sleeping lately.
See? Just mildly freaking out.
This was my drink of choice. Was being the key word. I drank it instead of water. I was convinced that if you cut me open, Coke Zero would come out. I also enjoyed Cherry Coke Zero, as well.
And then one day, I just decided that I wasn’t going to drink it anymore.
Just. Like. That.
It has been six weeks. Now I have tea or water (and the occasional glass of wine, of course!). And I do not put any artificial sweetener or sweetener of any kind in my tea, either.
I KNOW. WHO AM I? I do not recognize myself.
I think you will still recognize me, though, because I haven’t given up the coffee creamer I drink which, besides the artificial sweeteners that are in it, supposedly has chemicals, as well, according to something that showed up on my Facebook feed. I didn’t appreciate it.
Who knew chemicals could taste so good?
So that is my one vice. Coffee creamer in the morning. And yes, I put coffee into the creamer. I do not drink straight creamer. Coffee can be a very light tan color. It doesn’t mean it’s too much creamer.
I haven’t changed one thing in my food, though. I say baby steps. Baby steps and baby candy bars and Cheetoh puffs, that’s what I say.
(source)
I am reading this book when I can’t sleep. And it is SO good. I have been texting my “reader” friends and telling them to read it. (I order my friends around.) I need to talk to someone about it. My hubby always obliges me when I am reading a good book and listens to me go on and on, but it is not the same as when someone else actually reads it and then we talk about it together.
I NEED TO TALK ABOUT THIS BOOK SO PLEASE READ IT. AND IF YOU HAVE READ IT, PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT OR EMAIL ME AND LET’S TALK ABOUT IT. (But don’t say too much because I haven’t finished it yet.)
I can’t put this book down, but I am also afraid I am reading it too fast and it will end. That’s the sign of a good book, if you ask me.
I also think it should be a movie.
Really.
I think it goes without saying that you should NOT pin this.
I posted this on Instagram and had no words to say.
This is our spare room. The work-out room. My husband’s office. As you can see, there is a futon with an egg crate (the futon is actually quite comfy with the egg crate on it, I must say, but I never have to sleep on it so who knows?) from when my family was visiting. I have yet to put the egg crate away or situate the futon back into the Look This Is A Couch Of Some Sort and I Do Not Live In A Dorm So Let’s Just Close The Door Now.
Look at all of the school prep I am doing. The school prep has become my exercise now because I obviously cannot walk on the treadmill. It is in use, can’t you see?
I still have no words for what is going on in that room.
I just close the door.
I spent way too much time at our Instructional Resource Center yesterday. I was laminating. And cutting. And then die-cutting. Which means I don’t even know how I am typing because my arm is about to fall off.
I am going to be blogging about this very soon. I already did blog about this a long long long time ago, but I want to tell you a little more about it.
After everything I accomplished yesterday (I deemed it THE DAY OF ACCOMPLISHMENT DAY, I was most excited about the die cut project.
I am also going to blog about Gold Tags again this week.
I wrote my original post about it two years ago. I still get comments on it. There are over 140 comments. !!!!! And people message me on Facebook, and Instagram, and I get emails about it.
What the what?
So. I am planning on a little UPDATE and WHAT NOW and A Parent Letter That Everyone Asks For But I Don’t Have One Because I Just Talk About It At Back To School Night And I’m Lazy But I’m Going To Write One For You and DOES IT STILL WORK post. It should be epic.
I’m just guessing.
And yes, Gold Tags still work. Did you see the pocket on the left? It matches my new borders!! And who cares if I paid for shipping because our teacher supply store didn’t have them? Who cares if I spent way too much money on them? THEY MATCH MY BORDERS!
And there you have it.
My week and what I’m planning to do for my next few blog posts.
Ta-dah!
Love it! I always find so much pleasure in reading your posts!! Thanks!!
Kaitlin
K&C Love Grade 3
It's funny, I just came across your gold tags post earlier this summer when a friend shared it on Facebook. 🙂
I remember your gold tags post….I was going to try it. Then I moved to Kindergarten and tables and I don't know if they would keep track of them. Maybe I should go back and reread it and see If I can get it to work in K. I remember thinking it was a brilliant idea. Of course I could wait until you have the parent letter written. We really don't have a parent night….I have to send everything home and hope they read it. We have come visit your teacher the Friday before school starts.
Terri Izatt
KinderKapers
I have been using gold tags for two years now thanks to your awesome post about them. I love, love, love them and so do my firsties! I can't wait to read your new post about them. Thanks for sharing!
I am very proud of you!!
I recently gave up Diet Coke. Well actually, I cut down to 1 a day which is a lot better than the 5 a day I was drinking. 😉 I also switched to unsweetened tea and water. What Alice Forgot is also on my reading list! Love reading your posts.
– Kelly 🙂
Mrs. Campbell's Kids
you still get comments on it because you're THAT awesome! 🙂 we love you, Teeny!
love reading your posts! Great job cutting out soda…. I still haven't managed that one :/ It hasn't been SO bad this summer, but I'm a daily drinker once school starts. Maybe this year I'll finally kick it…. maybe!
Katie
Dirty Hands & Lesson Plans
No Murphy, sigh. Hey when you are done with this book, try the Vanishing by Wendy Webb, it was fabulous. I always dream they change my classroom to a closet or that I go to lunch and forget to come back. My counter in my kitchen has all my school stuff. The hubster gives it the"look" everytime he comes in.
Wahoo! Can't wait for you to blog some more about the gold tags. I think I might want to give it a try! Where do the kids keep their gold tags during the day? Thanks for another fabulous idea!
Jessica
Covered in Glitter and Glue
I thought that's what treadmills were for – storage! Aren't they??
The Almost Their height Teacher
I get so giddy when I see a new post in my inbox from you! I L.O.V.E. your blog. 🙂 And I LOVED that book too! I love the whole 'losing ten years' idea….and it's funny!!!! The Husband's Secret is great too….but school is starting, so never mind…no time to read. 🙂 PS….I'm scared to read the Gold Tag post because being new to 1st grade, I am on blog idea overload…but I love it. How did I ever teach before blogs and Pinterest?
Hi Kristin,
Liane Moriarty is my absolute favourite author!! I just bought her new book yesterday – it's called Big Little Lies and my plan for this afternoon is to tuck myself away and read! I loved What Alice Forgot, but have you read Three Wishes? A.MAZE.BALLS. It's my all time favourite book, I reread it almost every year. So excited that you are a fan of hers, too! 🙂
Lauren
Love, Laughter and Learning in Prep!
I love that book! I recommend it to everyone and everyone likes it too! Try The Husband Secret afterwards (same author).
Liane Moriarty is FANTASTIC!!!! I have read almost all of her books, and guess what?!?! They are ALL great! My personal favorite is Three Wishes,a bout triplets, and the Husband's Secret. The secret is revealed halfway through, and then it was like WOAH! Enjoy Alice 🙂
Looking good!
If you discover a healthier option other than the delicious, horrible for you creamer I also love, please share! Just read Orphan Train-so good!
My recurring back to school dream is that the kids come in as five year olds, but in 40 year old bodies. No one really fits in the desks and my floor seating arrangement is shot the hell, so I spend my day trying to reorganize my classroom to fit these giant kindergarteners! This dream has popped up multiple times for me, I wonder what it says about me : )
You haven't had a Coke in 6 weeks? Girrrrl, I'm breathing in a bag over here on your behalf. My Coke is my IV drip. Not.even.kidding. I'm very impressed and quite proud of you! Rock on with your bad self!
your post made me smile 🙂 spend more time with PJ!
Giving up Coke zero? Wow. That is amazing. I'm ok in the summer but if I don't have one every day at lunch I feel like I would go crazy! I just bought the book you recommended… Excited to start a new one. Good luck getting ready for back to school, I still have 6 weeks. I have only been into school once so far. I cleaned out my filing cabinet (thanks for that inspiration!). Have a great week!
I just read "What Alice Forgot" based on this post. I loved it! Did you finish it? I have no self control with a good book. I read and read and read until it is done… Or until I can't keep my eyelids open. Haha 🙂
I have to read this book! I love all of your book recommendations so far.