Number 89- Check!

Box Tops for Education

At our school we participate in the Box Tops for Education program. While it is such a simple and easy thing to do, so many people either have no idea about the program, OR  they just toss them in the garbage.

My goal was to take an extra 30 seconds to cut out a box top before throwing it in the trash. It is really not a hassle, and as a teacher I realize the importance of taking on such a simple task.

I’ve made it fun for the kids in my class by sending home the Halloween collection sheets. There are all kinds to print out, so that parents will get involved.

I have officially collected over 50 box tops, which is over $5 for the school. That doesn’t sound like much, but it could buy a ream of paper.

Paper is like gold. It’s a precious material in our school, more particularly in kindergarten.

So this is ME encouraging YOU to take 30 seconds and cut it out. Put it in a baggie or print out a sheet for yourself. Give them to a student whose school participates in the program.

Click this link to go to the website and find your school!

Click this link to print collection sheets!

Getting My Fall On

As you’ve been reading, I’ve been searching for easy, but classic fall decorations that don’t cost a fortune. After this weekend, I finally accomplished my goal.

The front flower bed will be having a facelift this week as it is my husband’s mission this week to dig up what is there and replace it with some bushes that make more sense.

It will fill it out much better. Those stones that are keeping the flower bed in are about to go, too. The planters are changing to pansies.

Does anyone recognize the runner? You might recall it being the runner that went under my wedding cake.

I also am about to start on my tablescape with a bit of this stuff.

I can’t wait to share the progress photos that are going to start taking place around our house. I’m S-O excited I can’t hardly stand it.

Hope you all have a wonderful week!

Loving This House

Okay, raise your hand if you’re shocked at the amount of posts I have had this week. I’ve broken the rut I have been in.

I’ve went from posting once a week {maybe} to a few posts this week. Progress, people, progress.

So, I have stumbled upon this….

This is from Southern Living. You can click the picture to find out more about the house. This house has an unbelievable before photo there.

On to my purpose of writing….my house doesn’t look anything like that. It doesn’t have the amazingly beautiful front porch like that nor is it close to that size, BUT I‘m loving the mum and pumpkin combination that is A VERY SIMPLE SOLUTION to my lack of fall decor.

I must admit that I love mums, but I’m not very good at keeping them alive. However, they will be a perfect addition to my front porch with a mixture of various sized pumpkins.

I might even add a few fall pillows to my swing and rocking chairs. 

Does anyone know if that sidewalk is fairly simple for a DIY person, or should it be left to a more experienced person?

Slowly but Surely

I am slowly but surely adding some fall decor to our house. I just added this to our coffee table. Tasteful and classy. Not tacky.

Plus, I figured I could re-use the basket in the future. I actually got the decor from Wal-Mart. I seriously did not want to go that route, but I just couldn’t resist. It is like I just get sucked in every. single. time.

I must admit that I am pleased though.

Did you get your Southern Living magazine and pour yourself over for a good hour like me? Or am I the only one?

I enjoyed my afternoon by sitting outside in our rocking chair and reading it. I anticipate that magazine every month. It is everything I am about.

Anyway…I’m getting off track. Did you see the tablescape in there?

Don’t you just love the simplicity and unexpectedness of it? So do-able in my mind…

Now if I achieve this is yet to be determined, but I am certainly going to try to find some time.

P.S. Tomorrow is Friday! Do your happy dance =)

Having Some Fall Fun…

I’ve been in the fall spirit today. I love getting a new magazine in the mail, especially one that has lovely autumn colors on it and is filled with Thanksgiving ideas.

I can taste that food in my mouth right now. It is delectable. If I really in the mood this weekend, I might venture out to even make a pumpkin roll. I’m not even sure if I like pumpkin rolls, but I do love cream cheese. I’ll return with my vote soon.

This afternoon I brought my niece home with me after she insisted that she go to “B’s house.” I caved and let her come. I mean, how much longer will she want to spend some quality time with her Aunt B????

Let’s hope it is later than sooner! I love that girl!

She loves the outside more than anything, so we ventured out into the yard.

We listened to the band practice, practice, and practice at the high school.

We searched for these little jewels.

And added them to our zip-loc bag, so Aunt B can make some fall decorations with them.

We discovered these beautiful flowers. Does anyone know what they are called? They are in the worst place possible in my yard, so I think they need to be moved, but I loved being surprised by their presence.

I now have this scent going in my house, and it is absolutely decadent.

What are you loving about fall? Right now, I’m enjoying every  little bit.

Happy Fall, Ya’ll!

A Birthday and a Parade

Over the past week, my dad turned the big 5-0! Bless his heart, he even had to work on his birthday.

Knowing he wouldn’t want to celebrate his birthday with friends knowingly, my mom took it upon herself to plan a surprise birthday party for him. It was just a small get-together with his hunting buddies and their wives, and of course our immediate family.

My mom baked a cake and cooked a tasty pot of chili {I’ll post this recipe for your taste buds on a later day.}

Lot of serious talk went on that night. You know….deer, turkeys, dove…who kills the biggest buck, etc., etc., etc.

And of course the birthday boy kept us all entertained with his usual antics…

Now changing topics!

Friday was W.S. Neal’s homecoming, so of course that means a 1/2 day of school and a parade. It has it perks, but it also has its down side.

Perks:

1/2 day of school

Parade and Candy

Seeing friends that you usually don’t see

The Down-Side:

Students go nuts!!!

Traffic is terrible

Oh and did I mention that students go nuts!!!

After the crazy day we had at school of rushing around, I ventured away from the school just in time to see the parade. I met my sister and niece, Aly, with about 20 minutes to spare.

Camera time it was =)

It is your typical small town, southern high school homecoming. Class floats, homecoming queen and accompanying maids, band, and the whole nine works.

That was me at one time…oh the memories =)

It’s tradition that the queen wear a beautiful white gown, while the maids wear royal blue gowns.

This is the float I thought should have won =)

It was my mom’s 30th reunion, which was great until Aly saw her Nana. That caused this reaction.

We ended the parade on a better note than this, I promise. Sorry for such a long post….That’s just how it kind of happened.

Here’s a preview into what I’m working on now…

Do Not Disturb

That’s the sign I wish I could put on my bedroom door for the next week. Simply put, I AM EXHAUSTED!

I need sleep. I know what you’re thinking….so do I! Kindergarten is wearing me out. I love my job, and I love my kids, but I’m getting worn out.

The good news is that school lets out early on Friday to celebrate homecoming. Will I go? I’m not sure yet. It really depends on how tired I am then.

What bothers me more about being tired is that I have a million and one things to do. The house is not meeting my expectations. I have more stuff to print out for school, yet I can hardly move my behind off the couch. This is not good for a Type A personality.

Pray that I make it through the rest of the week.