Giveaway #1 & Awards

Yippeee!  In my week-long absence I've gone slightly past 300 followers and received a plethora of awards.
Actually two probably doesn't count as a plethora, but I did get those two awards from a plethora of people.  So that counts.

Plus, I just love that word, plethora!
It reminds me of one of my favorite students, a boy with Asperger's who had an amazing vocabulary and a true love for words.
This young man taught his classmates words like brackish and plethora in a way that I never could have.

So, on to the giveaway.

As mentioned before I am giving away a $25 Starbuck's gift card to one lucky person.

Here's how to enter:
1)  Follow my blog.  (1 comment)
2)  Blog about this giveaway.  (2 comments - be sure to leave a link to your post)

That's it!
Do one or both it doesn't matter to me.

Giveaway ends on Saturday, March 17 at midnight mountain time.
The winner will be announced on Sunday.

Now onto the awards.

I was gifted with two wonderful awards by some amazing bloggers.
A few of these bloggers are new to the bloggy world so please show them your love by checking them out.

I received this lovely from Rebecca at Teaching First, Michelle The 3am Teacher, Krista of Stellar Students, Chrissy at Buzzing with Ms. B, Vicky from Traditions, Laughter and Happily Ever After, and Chrissy at Read Write Sing Kindergarten.

The rules for this award are to:

1. Link back to the blogger who gave you the award.

2. Pass the award on to 15 other lovely bloggers.

3. Follow the person who sent it to you.

I am passing the "One Lovely Blog Award" on to these blogs (which are new to me):

Brenda

Tiff at Family of Educators

Courtney at 2nd Grade Snapshots

Barb of It's About Time Teachers

Mrs. K.

Jessica

rk at dear wellington

Pam at My Second Home

Ms. Jordan

Kayla

Sandra

Kris

Ms. Pretzel

Patricia at Primary Practice

Keri

This little award came from Latricia at Wild About Second Grade, Jessica from Glitzy in 1st Grade, and Marissa of WILD About First Grade.
,

Now I get to pick my top ten blogs.

Not easy to just pick ten.

Here they are in no particular order.

Kristin at A Teeny Tiny Teacher

Chrissy at Buzzing with Ms. B.

Kristen at Ladybug's Teacher Files

Kelley at Buggy for Second Grade

Stacy at 2nd Grade Paradise

Jennifer at Herding Kats in Kindergarten

Holly at Crisscross Applesauce

Laurie at Chickadee Jubilee

Courtney at Swimming into Second

Haley at Following Optimism

Now if you've stuck with me this long, thank you very much!

Don't forget to enter my little giveaway.

(If you're like me lately you can use all the caffeine you can get your hands on.)

Passing It On

First, just let me say this, you are all so awesome!  I am giving you all a roller coaster.  Click, click, click...Woo, woo, woo!  {If you don't know what I mean by a roller coaster, you've got to check out Teacher Tipsters Silly-Brations.  The roller coaster is my kiddos fave!}

Why, you probably are wondering, is this weirdo giving us this weird roller coaster thingie?

Well, you all have given me the sweetest comments about my stress/anxiety and getting rid of the desk.

Honestly, I think I'd probably have given up the task if it weren't for all the love and encouragement I've received.  Thank you!!

As of today, the desk is EMP-TEEEE!  And if I can get some strong men to move it out this weekend.  It is ouda-here!

Then once I get everything shuffled around and in a place, I'll post some pictures.

After seeing pictures of all the classrooms out there, I've come to the conclusion that I have the smallest room on earth...except for maybe some of you that have resource rooms.  I would love it if people shared the measurements of their rooms some time.

Okay.  On to the award.  (Because I have already received and passed on the Liebster Award, I am not passing it on again.  Or am I supposed to?  I don't know the etiquette on this.  Anyone that does please let me know.)

The rules are to:
1. Thank the person who presented the award to you and link back to them.
(Did this in yesterday's post.)
2. Tell seven things about yourself.
(Did this in yesterday's post.)
3.  Pass this award on to 15 newly discovered blogs and let them know they've received the awards.

First Grade Found Me

Taming My Flock of Firsties

Inside the Classroom

Following Optimism

Smiling in Second Grade

Adventures of Ms. Smith

Chickadee Jubilee

The First Grade Diaries

Swinging Through Second Grade

Klinger Cafe

The Teacher's Chatterbox

Teaching Fun in the Sun

Second Grade "Swamp Stories"

Pattie's Classroom

Wild About Second Grade

Happy (almost) Friday people!

Overwhelmed!

You know when you have that hard to breathe feeling (whether it's caused from stress or who knows what) and then combine it with trying to scarf down lunch in 15 minutes because you have duty and you feel like you can't swallow.  I've had that feeling today.  I don't know why.  (I've taken my medicine, promise!)

I am bound and determined to get rid of THE desk, but at the same time I am really nervous about it.  I keep having these "what if" thoughts like the darn kids.  (Don't you get sick of those what-if-er kiddos?)  All day long I try to eek out moments of going through drawers and trying to come up with a game plan.

I think it is killing me.

But I will not stop.  No I will not.  I will not stop until I drop.

In the mean time, my desk area looks like pooey, doggie-dooey.

Quit talking about the dang desk, Erika.  Ya big baby!

So on to good things.  Breathe.  Deep.  Feel the chi!

I've received two awards, well three if you count the one I received twice.

Chrissy over at Buzzing with Ms. B. has honored me with the Liebster Blog Award.  Woo hoo!

And Tanya of A Class Act and Laura from Kinder Kraziness both gave me the Versatile Blogger Award.

I am going to somewhat combine my duties for these two awards so I don't go into a full anxiety attack if you all will forgive me.    I usually don't get this bent out of shape over such little things.  I must be PMSing too!

So here are the rules:

1. Thank the person who presented the award to you and link back to them.

Thank you Chrissy, Laura and Tanya.  You are all so sweet and thoughtful.  Their super power is obviously bucket filling!!

2. Tell seven things about yourself.

1.  I have the unique (or embarrassing) knack of mixing up the beginning letters of two words in conversation.  For example, the names of my brother's ex-girlfriend's parents are Doug and Flo but for the life of me, it always comes out Flug and Do.  Most commonly in conversation with one of them.

2.  I was a nanny in Wellesley, MA for a year during college.  It was both great and horrible for a variety of reasons, but one I'd never change.

3.  I I attended four colleges and changed my major three times before I graduated with a teaching degree.

4.  I love my pets (and pretty much all pets) and could easily be a hoarder.  There is a cat that lives behind the school that will hop in my classroom window and visit.  I keep treats for him in my desk.  There are dogs next door to the school playground and I keep treats for them in my coat pockets.  When I visit people's homes, I spend as much time with their pets as them.  Some of them have pets that react to my voice on the phone even.  Yep, love me some critters.  (Some days I like them more than people.)

5.  I crave chips and salsa on a regular basis.  I can eat it for a snack or a meal.

6.  I can't wear shoes with a closed heel other than tennis shoes.  So pretty much every shoe I own is a slip on clog style shoe.  I have boney heels and get blisters that bleed if I wear anything closed.  

7.  Not only are my daughters adopted, but I am too.

So there you have it.  Seven odd things I figured no one out there knew about me.

3.  Pass this award on to 15 newly discovered blogs and let them know they've received the awards.

I hate to do this.  But I am going to put off that portion of this post until tomorrow because I am so tired I can't stay awake.  (Remember my days and nights were confused until yesterday and I think it has caught with me today BIG TIME!)

So, TTFN.  (ta ta for now or as my husband says...ta ta fuzzy nuts!)

The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly

The Good--

Yesterday, I was thrilled to find out that I had been awarded the Liebster Blog Award not once, but twice!

Thank you Stacy over at 2nd Grade Paradise and thanks Jennifer at Herding Kats in Kindergarten for the award.

Jennifer has noticed I like to leave comments. Yes, I do! I only wish people would disable that word verification thingie cause it really slows me down. Dang it!

So now I get to nominate five blogs that have less than 200 followers. Hmmmm! Here they are in no particular order.

Number 1:

Teaching Fun in the Sun

Patricia has just recently gotten into the blogging world, but I already love her ideas.

Number 2:

Krazy about Kiddos

Amy has great things on her blog and at her TpT store.

Number 3:

Spend a Day in 2nd Grade

Leanne makes, shares, and sells great stuff on her blog and her TpT store.

(Leanne and Amy may notice my paychecks sent directly to their TpT stores after the holidays! I love TpT and just recently found their stores. Happy dance!!)

Number 4:

Ms. Rachel's Room

Rachel has a cute blog (Project 3 Designs - same as mine), we both have guinea pigs, and we both contribute to Critters in the Classroom. Great minds think alike. What's not to love?!

Number 5:

Going Nutty!

Staci aka Miss Squirrels is funny and I love the name of her blog. I hear there is a funny story about why she is Miss Squirrels, but I can't find it on her blog. Maybe she'll share it with me now that I've given her an award!

Number 6:

The Weekly Hive

Lauren and I may have been separated at birth (even though I'm probably old enough to be her mother! HA!) We do a lot of the same things in our classrooms. And although she no longer has a bee theme, I still like her. Go check her blog out. You'll love her Venn snowmen!

Uhhmmm. Okay that was six, but it could have been ten (or more). There are so many great new blogs out there. It really wasn't easy to pick. Luckily for me a lot of you have a gazillion followers.

The Bad--

Today our shelf elf, Bluey, brought a letter to our class from Santa. Apparently Santa is worried he will have to put some of my kiddos on the naughty list if they don't change their ways. Some of my kids were all big-eyed and very concerned. Not the one two three five I'd really hoped would be. But throughout the day I heard a few darlings reminding the others to make good choices so Santa doesn't bring them coal. We'll see how tomorrow goes.

The Ugly--

I felt rather bad about all my complaining yesterday after reading most of the comments that were left. Thank you for putting things in perspective for me!

But...

Let me just share how my day ended.

I got the dreaded jury duty letter in the mail. And instead of being called up for the last few days of school before the vacation begins...which I was secretly wishing as I opened the envelope...qsz

(yes, it would stink getting ready for a sub this time of year, but...I could do it to avoid the madness and mayhem that is rearing its ugly head.)

The Christmas gods obviously should have been appeased with a few sacrifices yesterday because...

I have jury duty OVER my vacation.

The.Week.between.Christmas.and.New.Years.

What?! Do these insane people not know I am a teacher and seriously need a break from all things? Like lay in my pajamas all day and mumble and drool all day week!

So I crawl into bed sad depressed only to find that one of my fur babies who doesn't like the cold decided to piddle on my side of the bed.

All I can say is that I was feeling the love yesterday!

Not to shirk my civic duty, but I seriously hope this case gets canceled, settled, or I immediately say something stupid to get myself dismissed. Because I need to sleep, drool, and mumble for a few days.

Keep your fingers crossed!

My First Award

Stacy over at 2nd Grade Paradise has made my day week year! Today I found out she gave me the Sunshine Award! It may sound silly, but I feel like I won an Oscar or something!

I'll be honest. As I've blog hopped and seen all the wonderful blogs receiving all these awards, I wondered if it would ever happen to me or if my blog would ever be as wonderful. I was also a little jealous because, I admit, I can be a bit insecure. (I may not act like a people pleaser, but I am!)

So, thank you Stacy, for making me feel like "somebody"!  I am honored beyond words.

Now, the "rules" are that I have to answer a few questions before passing on the award to a few other blogs. So here goes.

What is your favorite color?

Simple question...ah, why so difficult? I like a lot of colors. Mostly neutral, natural ones. Black and brown. I like the soothing tones of blues and greens. But I also love purple and lime green. Oh, and red. Gee, was I supposed to pick one? Sorry.

What is your favorite animal?

I love dogs (have three) but also love pot-bellied pigs (have none since they are not allowed in city limits where I live--boo hoo!)

 My dogs love me when I feel unlovable, make me laugh, and are always here for with me.

OMG! I sounded like one of those crazy people on Animal Horders! Okay, whew! That was scary.

Pot-bellied pigs.  I mean have you seen these little fat cutie pies?  They are smarter than dogs and can be potty trained.  What is not to love?  I love my house but if I move it's for a pig.  If I end up in jail, it's cause I've got an illegal pet in the city and got caught!

What is your favorite number?
Three and five, don't know why...always have been.  Some might say odd numbers for an odd person.  Probably.

Anyone noticing a pattern here besides me?  I haven't been able to choose just one of anything yet.  Yeah, I am difficult and a tad indecisive.

What is your favorite drink?
Diet Ginger Ale.  It is soothing to the tummy.

Aha!  I chose one!

Do you prefer Facebook or Twitter?
Facebook, because I had to have it to use Pinterest!  Otherwise, I don't do either.  Weird, huh?  I keep getting requests to be friends from people now that I have a Facebook account, but I have to tell them I only pin.  They think I'm nuts.  (Sensing another pattern?  If so, keep it to yourself please!)

Do you prefer getting or giving?
Giving.  But I am totally with Stacy about the stress of finding the perfect gift.  Hate that part.  I like it when I stumble upon something that just clicks.  Of course that doesn't usually happen when you need something RIGHT now!  And being a non-shopper (unless it's online...like TpT) I don't stumble upon things often or easily.  Oh, but when I do...

What is your favorite flower?
Hydrangea.  I planted a few in my yard and they bloomed the first summer and haven't since.  Depressing!

And now, I get to pass on the award to a few other blogs.  There are a gazillion to choose from, but I decided to choose a few that are relatively new (like me) that would love a few more followers.

Dianne at Hopelessly Devoted to Teaching  has been teaching a long time and blogging a relatively short time (like me!) and has the cutest blog name!  Her blog is adorable and the first giveaway I ever won was hers.

Michelle of Creative Classroom is an amazingly creative teacher turned stay-at-home mom who has an adorable bee themed blog.  LOVE that!  She also has her own business creating resources for teachers.

 Lisa at Live Laugh and Love to Learn just started her blog the end of October.  I love the bold colors (especially the lime green) of her blog design.

Sarah over at Adventures in Teaching is a second grade teacher who started her blog about the same I did.  She has a cute idea for a gingerbread man descriptive writing activity on her adorable blog right now.

Kelley at Buggy for Second Grade has an adorable ladybug themed blog in red, black and white.  Who doesn't love ladybugs?  And they are good luck.  Did you know that?  Anyway, Kelley has a great blog you should check out...only she needs a blog button so people can grab it!  :)

Again, thank you Stacy!  Who knew a little award could make someone so giddy?!?  Sweet dreams all.  I off to slumber.