It's Finally Time!

Nope, Anthony's not home yet.  And I still have 17 days until I see Kimmie.  Almost as good though, it's time for cheap school supplies!!!  (yeah, I know, I'm lame, but I don't care)

Every year in the middle of July, I start searching the sales ads on Sundays.  I check Target, Wal Mart, Staples, Office Depot and Office Max.  I  knew it was getting close to that time.  I started with Target's ad.  They had a few things, but no really supper deals.  Next, Office Depot.  No school supplies yet.  Understandable, it's still 5 weeks until school starts.  Then, I decided to check Staples' ad.  School supplies!!!  I called up a friend who is a teacher and today we headed to Staples.   I came home with all of this...

50 Folders with Pockets and Brads
400 pencils
8 Bic ball point pens
2 Notebooks
5 Packs of notebook paper
3 Packs of Post it notes in fun shapes
1 Pack of 5 hilighters
3 Packs of 4 glue sticks

Want to guess how much all of this was?

$16 and some change!!!

I saved over $75!!!

This is why I love shopping for school supplies!

Conference Trip

It is officially summer break!  No kids for 2 1/2 months.  I can't even begin to tell you the relief I feel right now.  Don't get me wrong, I love teaching and I love the kids, but after 7 hours with the kids every day for 9 months, you need a break.  I mean, that's more time awake with those kids than their parents spend with them!

I love teaching so much that I (along with some other kindergarten teachers) decided to sign up for a one day conference for teachers this week, called The Daily Five.  I won't get into the details of the conference, but I will say it is an AMAZING way to structure your day of teaching and to ensure that the students are engaged in their learning. 

The conference was in San Antonio and there were four of us that went.  We made quite a trip out of it.

The 2 pictures above are a pit stop along the way at a wildflower farm.

This is Vanessa and I with the 2 sisters who wrote the Daily 5.

River Boat

The Alamo

Mom flew down to San Antonio so I wouldn't have to drive back by myself. (I was driving to my parents and everyone else was returning home.)  We made quite a trip out of it.

We stopped at Three Dudes Winery in San Marcos and picked up some suvenirs. 

And we did some shopping at the outlet mall in Round Rock.  Here's my newest pair of shoes. 

It was a great trip and a great chance to get away.  Now, Mom and  I are preparing for a garage sale and some redecorating.  it's going to be a great summer!

Staying Busy

Let me begin by saying this.  All of you that told me the anticipation was worse than saying goodbye were so right.  I was a wreck.  Now, it wasn't easy saying goodbye, but I felt better than I felt the days leading up to him leaving.  Yesterday (the day he left) was kind of tough and I found my self in tears a few times, but not the big tears like I had before he left. 

Today, I've kept busy all day.  As a matter of fact, this is the first time I've sat down and relaxed all day.  And it's 9:30.  I worked all day and it really helped keep my mind off things.  I work with wonderful people who love me and make things so much easier.  After work, Mom and I went for a pedicure.  After that, we headed to Cold Stone for some ice cream.  Then we headed to the mall for some retail therapy.  Before we knew it, it was 8.  We grabbed dinner at Quiznos then ran to Kohls.  And finally we are home.

I was very lucky that while we were at the mall, I heard from Anthony.  We both signed up for AIM and there's an app for my phone.  So, he can send me a message and I automatically get a message!  He then got a phone number through skype and I was able to call him.  Oh how I love technology!

I am also very lucky to have my mom here with me until Sunday.  She is making it much easier because I'm not alone.  I have such a wonderful mom!

My new shirt I bought while shopping with Mom.

My pretty painted toes!