Currently: February

I don't know that I've ever been so excited for February.... mostly because that means January is over :) One month down... I think I can, I think I can!  I'm going to make this quick because it's been a LONG week... I'm linking up with Farley for February's Currently (even though it's still January for another 30 minutes!)

Listening: Ok let's just all admit it.... who out there DOESN'T love Jimmy? I have a major crush on him.... I'm so excited that he's taking over the Tonight Show! Now I can watch him every night while I try to fall asleep :)  Did you see his FULL HOUSE video the other night?? Hilarious!!  Tonight Utah even got a shout-out during the monologue :) woot-woot! (and just for the record, I am equally excited about Seth Meyers taking over Late Night... he's so cute and hilariously funny!)

Loving... ummm, yeah.... if you haven't tried these before, you are SERIOUSLY missing out!! But really, don't buy them.... you will get addicted.  It's dangerous!  This is my second bag (notice, I haven't cut into it yet... I'm not sure how much longer that will last).  I actually buy a few extra bags the day after Valentine's day (because target puts them on clearance).... yeah, it's a BAD addiction...

Thinking: I have nothing to put here... I stared at my computer for a good 5 minutes trying to think of something... anything.... nope... just thinking that I'm tired.  This week has been LONG (this was my first 5-day week after  two 4-day weeks in a row.... why is 5 days so much harder than 4?)

Wanting: I bought myself a silhouette cameo for my birthday & christmas this year.... and guess what?? IT'S STILL IN THE BOX :( I am so ashamed.... I really want to learn how to use it!!  One of my friends is supposed to help me soon. I have so many ideas, but no time to sit down and figure it all out. One of these days...

Needing: I think that "thinking" and "wanting" explain it all... I just need a day all to myself! There's something about 3-day weekends that just leave me feeling so much more refreshed (sadly, the next break is still 2 weeks away... and we have parent-teacher conferences prior to the long weekend, so it will be a LONG "short" week!)

And finally... two truths and a lie... what a FUN idea!! Any guesses what mine are?!?  Ok, here we go.... 

1. TRUTH!! YES, I really did meet Jay Leno!!  It was so cool!  My friend and I went to a taping of his show, and after standing in line for HOURS, and thinking we weren't going to get in, then they came and pulled us to the front of the line, and took us to some seats right up at the front of the audience!  Jay came out before the taping to do a Q&A session, and I decided to be brave and ask for a photo to take back to my students... unfortunately they don't let you use your NICE cameras in their studio, so all we got was a Polaroid picture :( (don't judge... it's a TERRIBLE photo!)

2. LIE.... Even though I live in Utah, home of the "greatest snow on earth" as our license plates say, I've NEVER been skiing... can you believe that?!  I'm pathetic, what can I say??

3. TRUTH... yup, I'm a southpaw. I know you're jealous.  I have my dad and grandma to thank for this one...  at least I can say I'm always in my right mind! LOL... 

So there you have it... what are you most looking forward to this month??
PS....

Currently: January

I'm so excited to be linking up with "currently" this month. I feel like I'm always a day late and a dollar short, but I love reading everyone else's posts, so I'm joining in on the fun once again. So here's my January "currently":

Listening: I *love* country music!!! I'll admit, it's been a little hard turning off the Christmas music (and yes, I might have cried a little when I took down my tree yesterday), so I've turned on the "today's country" station on pandora, and it's helped me get over the post-Christmas blues. Love me some Lady Antebellum, Hunter Hayes, Taylor Swift, and all the other great tunes that have been playing while I've been working on this post!

Loving: winter break.... But really, is there any teacher that DOESN'T love it?! I'm sure after 17 days of "Saturdays", Monday is going to be pretty rough for me :( this has been a much-needed break and I am so glad it came when it did!!

Thinking: how many school days until spring break?! WHY?! (No, not just because I want another break!!) But because I'm going to Hawaii for the first time in my life during spring break!!! I'm so excited to get away from the cold and snow and do nothing on a beach for an entire week :) 

Wanting: I have spent most of Christmas break just sleeping, because I was sick from around the time of my birthday, up until just now (after 3 rounds of antibiotics, I'm finally starting to feel human again.... But oh man, I wasn't sure I would make it through December!!) Now that I finally have the energy to create, it's time to go back to school :( I have some great ideas and just need the time to make it all. Story of my life I suppose!

Needing: SUNSHINE.... Oh. My. Word. The air quality here in Utah is simply AWFUL.... I'm talking, inversions so bad you can SEE the air. It's some of the worst air in the nation. Disgusting. Gross. The end. 

Favorite memory / tradition: I'm putting 2 things here.... Christmas ornaments and Christmas Eve. One of my favorite traditions that my mom started was buying a new Christmas ornament for me and my brother each year. Now that I have my own house, it's fun to put all of my ornaments up and remember what they represent. I have ornaments from family vacations (I'd say at least half of my ornaments are Disney! Lol!) Dance figurines, precious moments, willow trees, and all sorts of fun things. I love my Christmas tree!!

My other favorite tradition is Christmas Eve. Each year, my grandma takes all of the granddaughters to see "The Nutcracker", then we have a big family party! We play bingo for white elephant presents, eat a big dinner, and Santa comes to bring all of the kids a present. It is such a fun evening and I love that we have a big extended family to celebrate with. 

Here's a picture of my tree. {sniff}. My house feels so empty right now :(

Winners & Currently: August

I'm going to keep this short and sweet... I'm up late packing, and tomorrow I will be going to the Utah Blogger meet-up, then I'm off for a much needed vacation... any guesses where I'm going??  (hint, come back on Monday to find out!!)  So yeah, I'm posting early! Ready... here we go!! Drumroll please.... the lucky winners are:

 

 

 

Dolch Word Wall: Shannon W, Doreen B.

If you didn't win, you can pick this up on SALE this weekend by clicking here!

Kim also has a great freebie for everyone if you stop by her TPT store!

 

Book bin labels & Bug classroom décor: Madonna U., Ashley D.

If you didn't win, you can grab these items on sale this weekend!

Book labels - click here!

Buggy room theme - click here!

Cyndie also has a fabulous freebie for everyone in her TPT store!

 

Chevron Classroom Décor: Katie N., Eilidh H.

 

 

Word Wall Headers & Chevron Pack: Tracy R.

 

Bee Themed Classroom Set: Kris, Megan M., Caitlin C.

If you didn't win and still want this, Chrissy has put it on sale for the weekend. Check it out here!

and finally, the winners of Mandy's décor pack are: Pina D. & Mariann B.

ANNNNNND... if you made it all the way to the bottom and are still with me, Mandy has an AWESOME freebie you can snag by visiting her blog and reading THIS post... it's worth it, trust me. I am excited to go back to school JUST to use this freebie!! YAY!

 

One last thing before you go... I'm so excited to get to link up with Farley @ Oh Boy 4th grade for her "Currently" linky... these are always my favorite blog posts to read... and now I get to participate!!  Humor me and read it and comment, okay?! :)

 

So here's the breakdown of my August "currently":
Listening: I love country music!! Hunter Hayes opened for Carrie Underwood when I went to her concert in October and he is just adorable... {I *might* have a little crush on him. Yes, he's younger than me... don't judge!!} I smile every time I hear his new song... Love him!!

Loving: If you follow me on facebook, you saw this picture already {and if you don't follow me, shame on you!!}... I will blog more about my Ikea trip soon, but this will have to do for now.  Two teacher-friends and I had lots of fun shopping at Ikea this week and are excited for our little mini-makeovers that we will be doing in our classrooms!  Stay tuned for some awesome pics once I get my room put together!

 

Thinking: It's August. REALLY?!?!?!  I am in so much trouble!  I need one more month to get everything ready... and instead of getting my butt in gear and going to school, I am going on vacation.  I'm excited for a break... but not ready to come back to reality :(

 

Wanting: A Silhouette Cameo.  I swear every teacher has one of these.  I went to a wood craft shop earlier today with one of my friends, and we found so many fun things to make... but the pre-cut vinyl is so expensive, and they don't use CUTE fonts (yes, I'm a font snob, I'll admit it).  If I had a cameo, I could make my own vinyl exactly how I wanted it!!  Someday... maybe... hopefully!!

 

Needing: To finish packing... this is self explanatory.  I should be packing... but instead I'm blogging.  Good job, self!  Way to go.  {ugh... better wrap it up!}

 

Back to school must haves:

1. Cherry Dr. Pepper.  I have no shame in admitting to my caffeine addiction.... Cherry Dr. Pepper makes my mornings SOOO much better!  I was a Diet Cherry Coke lover until Dr. Pepper came out with CHERRY.... oh my stars... if you haven't tried it, you MUST!  I don't like the diet... if I'm gonna be bad, I'm gonna go all out! LOVE IT! (I already have my B2S case in my garage, but I'm too lazy to walk downstairs and take a picture).
2. A new haircut & color.... my hair tends to bleach out because I hang at the pool so much in the summer... luckily one of my best friends is a hairstylist, and she is nice enough to come to my house and make me pretty :) I love having red highlights in my hair, and am excited to get some red again when I get home from my trip.  As for the cut... last year I CHOPPED it off... but I'm kind of liking being able to pull it back in a ponytail (which means I never DO my hair!!)  So I can't decide if I keep it shoulder length, or go with an A line.... decisions, decisions.
3. And last... I am SO excited to start using Lory Evans' daily math packet.  (I'm also super excited to meet Lory in person at the blogger luncheon... eek!! I hope I don't embarrass myself!) I didn't love my math self-starts last year, so I can't wait to try these. I already have them all copied... just need to spiral bind them and I'll be ready to go.

So there you have it.... now, back to packing!!  Remember to come back on Monday for the FINAL week of giveaways :)