Saturday, December 31, 2011

AWOL.

I haven't just been MIA... I went completely AWOL!

Well I think I have a good enough excuse(s)... Not only am I planning a wedding and not only is school INSANE this year, but I am toying with the idea of creating a teaching blog. I follow a few teaching blogs that create their own worksheets and curriculum themes and sell them on a teacher's website! I thought this was totally cool :) Plus they make great money on it too. So my debate was to maybe do this after this school year. Let's be honest, I have a gut feeling this will be my last year teaching simply because I think future hubby's job will transfer us to ABQ and there are NO teaching jobs there. I will probably have to get something that has few hours and pays very little (unless I can find a management position somewhere!) Who knows though, maybe I will luck out. Anywho, if it does not work out then I was thinking about creating a teaching blog but also do more crafts and sell stuff on etsy? All works and ideas in process, gotta be prepared!

Well that is why I haven't blogged. I was going to start this "teaching blog" concept back in October but now that I am wedding planning and working more, there is no possible time. I would seriously only get about 2 hours of sleep a night.

Maybe I will just do fun things for now. My friend does some cool link up things that I totally want to copy her on!

To completely turn the tables:

Can you believe that tomorrow is 2012 already?! I sure can't!!! This year has FLOWN by for me when I totally thought it would drag. I started off thinking that it was going to be the longest year of my life because I am so anxious to marry the man of my dreams but because I have been so busy time has flown! We are so excited to start this new year, we both know it is going to be the best ever!

Reflecting on 2011:

We got the cutest puppy in the entire world. She also happens to possibly be the smartest dog I have ever had.


I got my teaching job back! And this school year I have the best class EVER.







I got to spend time in Disney World with my best friend!


I also got to experience Harry Potter World after waiting YEARS to go with my best friend!



I moved into a house with my love! (So much better than apartment living!)




I realized that I will be marrying into a family that has some of the greatest friends imaginable.



I closed the chapter of my childhood by being apart of the final Harry Potter showing with some of my best friends!

The wonderful world of Pinterest was introduced to me by a blogger I follow. Life changing site, really. You can find me here: http://pinterest.com/shibbynugz/

I got to FINALLY see Michael Buble LIVE. Oh... my... gosh... best concert EVER. EVER. EVERRRRRR. If you get the chance, go! Totally worth whatever price you pay for the tickets.

I spent a full year in engagement bliss! Apart from actually planning a wedding, I have loved it! I cannot wait to call Kyle my husband!


I have been totally blessed with everything this year and 2012 is already promising to be even better, I am so exited. I will be getting married to the love of my life, we will probably be moving to a city that has lots of friends and family, we will be going on an AMAZING honeymoon, maybe even get another pup... and so much more. I just can't wait!

Resolutions (had to do this because Kat did!)
-See more positives.... I feel like I sometimes focus on the negatives too much and end up complaining about it. When I look at the positive outcomes, then the negative usually doesn't seem all that bad.
- Take more pictures (yes Kat, I stole yours). I have been AWFUL at it. Maybe a year in pictures??? Sorry Monica, I might steal that from you too. I am a thief today.
- Try to keep in touch with people more. I HAVE to start... I have been upset lately that I don't talk to some of my close friends anymore but I guess the blame is partly mine. Instead of just texting them, maybe I should pick up the phone and call? Or maybe there non reply to my text is them trying to tell me something? HAHA.

Goodbye 2011, hello 2012!



Sunday, September 11, 2011

I have been absent from blog world for quite some time and it is all thanks to the school year starting up again. I get on to check out my best friends blog daily, and to look at a few teaching blogs for neat ideas but when it comes to writing one, I am too lazy or don't have time.

I need to start up again because I have some entirely too cute pictures to share about what my class is up to.

Not now though. I just wanted to post about something that was tremendously important today. The 10th anniversary of 9/11. Wow, 10 years ago? Is that even possible???

This week it has hit me so hard at what a part of history we all were apart of. I truly felt significant when I had to try to explain to my kinder kiddos that a tragic, awful thing happened BEFORE THEY WERE BORN. Every bit of history we learned while WE were in school was before we were born. It is weird to share history with the young ones and basically tell them I lived it... before they were born. Gosh it was so surreal and weird, and I can't even put it into words.

Well of course for kinder kiddos we had to sugar coat it a tad so we read the book "September 12th." A first grade class wrote it and it is amazing. It lets you know that even though bad things happened, we woke up the next day and still went on with our lives. The local news did a great story about my school. You can watch it here: http://www.kvia.com/video/29133034/index.html

Yup, those are my fellow kinder teachers and they are great!!!

I wish you could have seen the faces on these children trying to process the fact that people did such horrible things. One little boy finally asked me "Ms. Surber, did people die?"

"Yes, they did," I said, "but the good thing about our country is that every one came together to help and protect one another so something like this could never happen again."

Our school had a huge ceremony with firefighters and flags and music... it was amazing. I am not going to lie, it even brought me to tears.

As soon as I get pictures, I will share them. I do have a picture of my kiddos giving the firemen a thank you card we made but I have to blur their faces before I can post it :-/

Everyone has been talking on TV about where they were when the twin towers hit and I can remember my story VIVIDLY.

I came down stairs to wait for Patty's brother to pick me up for school when my dad was there. This was so weird because my dad is ALWAYS gone by like 5am. I asked him what was wrong (because of his serious, concerned face) and he said that there had been an accident. Scrolling across the screen was "BREAKING NEWS: A plane has crashed into one of the World Trade Centers." Then something along the lines of "Details on the accident are still unknown." The reporter kept saying that it was an accident and they were waiting to see if it was because of loss of signal with the pilot or something of that nature.

I was sitting there with my huge backpack in shock because it was insane. I was weirdly obsessed with NYC (well I still am kinda) and I desperately wanted to go to those buildings because they were the tallest! And now one got hit by a plane?! Insane. So we are still sitting there and I notice Patty's brother is late. My mom was getting ready to take me so I wouldn't be too late to school and all of a sudden the reporter goes "OH MY GOD!!" I turn around, and see the second plane hit the second building. I remember my dad going "Oh sh** this is NOT an accident." I remember my mom freaking out and my dad actually getting MAD. He was so upset that people would do this.

I couldn't watch any longer, I had to get to school and Patty's brother finally got to my house in the middle of the chaos. We stayed silent the entire drive to school listening to the radio... it was scary.


In every one of my classes, a TV was on and teachers were not teaching. We all just sat and watched.

Literally 5 minutes after getting to my 2nd period Spanish class, the buildings started to fall. EVERYONE gasped and couldn't believe what we were seeing. I still can't believe it today.

We all were pretty numb and when we got to band, our instructor was SOBBING. Literally sitting at his desk just SOBBING. The drum majors got up, and we started playing. We practiced our usual songs, and then we played the national anthem... quite a few times.

That is absolutely the last thing I remember about that day. I know I went home and talked to my parents about it but I can't remember the conversation. I just remember up to the national anthem and I promised myself I would never forget any of it.

I still can't believe that it is now TEN years later... Seems like yesterday...



I will have more pictures my next post. Promise :) but for tonight, we remember.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Back to reality, but first, my latest obsession!

So today I am headed back to my classroom. Three weeks ago I was dying to go back. I needed and wanted to fill my classroom with all of the amazing things I bought (like $500 worth... ugh) and make it look amazing. Well I guess I am still worn out because I do NOT want to go back. We were super busy this weekend because my grandma is in town so I feel like I haven't been able to rest, but I gotta suck it up and just go. Wish me luck.

The real point of this post though is to tell you about my new obsession. Pinterest.

I swear, all I can think about sometimes is opening up my computer and searching for fun things. Basically I have a million boards and I use it so that when I go to decorate, buy clothes, organize, etc. I can look back at what I pinned and buy or do something similar. Perfect! Everyone needs a pinterest account. And trust me when I say, it works wonders if you are planning a wedding. I have already bought stuff and copied a few ideas I found on there.

http://pinterest.com/shibbynugz/  <--- My account!

Just had to share that little bit of info. I know you will love it as much as I do.

Now, time to pour some coffee into my Mickey travel mug, put on a brave face, eat a power bar and tackle moving the heavy dusty furniture into place. It's all downhill after today.

Sunday, August 7, 2011

BFF REUNION!

I was thinking about how I was going to go about doing this blog. Should I make an extra long post? Should I write it in parts? I am afraid if I do the latter I would forget to do parts 2, 3 and possibly four. No bueno. I decided that I am going to do only a highlight reel. Who knows, it might be dumb and I will have to post another. Let's give it a whirl.

1. First stop: Hollywood Studios. The day starts out good... until we start walking around and realize we are melting.


2. We decided to take our first load of comfort and air conditioning by going on Aerosmith's Rockin' Rollercoaster. I desperately want my dad to try this ride. 

3. Then of course was one of my favorites, Hollywood Tower of Terror!


4. After those rides we were pretty much done with Hollywood Studios. We met some amazing people on the way out that made me laugh pretty hard. Scary driver comin' through!





5. Next stop was Epcot. We already needed relief so we stopped into a store to cool off and mess around!


6. I needed my prince charming there! We need this Mickey ear set soooo bad!


7. More cooling off: trying different soda pops from around the world! Heads up, Italy is effin GROSS. It tastes like Sprite at first, yum right? Well give it about 5 seconds to really start tasting like you just drank battery acid. Ugh, the thought gives me gross chills. 


8. Next, my favorite, the world showcase... I was chosen to be in a street performance. So much fun but I know I made a fool of myself. :-/


9. Character meetings!!! Kisses from Tigger, hugs from Mickey and Minnie, and compliments from our favorite princesses...We ate up every bit of it because we are still children at heart.






10. Magic Kingdom. Ok, so we already were technically there because that is where we did our character meet and greets (except Tigger) but for me, it isn't official until I see that beautiful, amazing, breathtaking castle.


11. After a day of fun and riding all the classic rides (and taking breaks in shops to cool off) we had the best ending to the night. A dessert party, and if you know me then you know I was in heaven being surrounded by chocolate and other yummy treats. Of course we had VIP seats to Wishes and the new, most jaw dropping show ever.... the castle projection show. Yeah, get ready to have your mind blown while watching that one.





12. We officially ended our night by watching the Disney..Electrical...Paraaaade (robot voice). Only if you have seen it you'd know the tune for that in your head. Fun none the less. 


13. Next day, St. Augustine. Sorry, no pictures really because all we could think about doing was napping and relaxing on the beach. Disney WORE US OUT the day before. 
14. Are you ready??? The best part of  the trip: HARRY POTTER WORLD. I don't think anyone realizes how special this was. Kathleen and I have been friends for a while but we truly became BEST friends because we realized we both love Harry Potter and have many other interests that are the same. When we first learned that there would be a Harry Potter World we told each other that we were going to go together. After 6 years, we finally did. Let me tell you, it was everything we expected and more. I am so glad we were still able to share this moment together.


15. Hogwarts Express.... chilling!




16. Entrance to the best ride I have ever been on. Ever. You can hate Harry Potter but trust me, this ride will blow your mind! I had a smile ear to ear the entire time I was on it. We went on it twice but thinking about it now, I am sad we didn't go on it three more times because it was THAT amazing!



17. Best drink ever!!!! Also, some cooling off at Honeydukes. So much fun!!!



18. We bought WANDS! Best decision ever, thanks Kat for talking me into it. Also I think we secretly wish we had these cloaks too and that this moment was real. We are the best losers ever.


19. Lunch at the Three Broom Sticks... Amazing experience and amazing food. We both ate Cornish Pasties and with it, I had Pear Cider... delicious!


20. Overall, AMAZING experience. 





21. Since we paid for the Universal Park Hopper, we decided to take advantage of it. I don't know if we were just tired from the previous days or what but we were NOT feeling Universal. I am pretty sure we complained most of the time and got mad at every worker because they were not polite like Disney Cast Members are. We still trotted on though, forcing ourselves to ride the rides and continue the Universal experience. 



22. Beetlejuice, beetlejuice, BEETLEJIUCE! Most inappropriate show ever, but at least we got to sit down.


23. We still walked around and even tried to take a nap in a restaurant. Yeah, we suck. We decided we were done and went back to Harry Potter World... Our spirits and energy lifted a little bit by going back! 

24. After we got home and freshened up, we went out to dinner with Kathleen's amazing friends. They were so much fun, and dinner was DELICIOUS.  Let me tell ya, if you ever get the chance to eat pomegranate pork chops, DO IT. So good!!



25. After a lonnng but AMAZINGLY FUN week, it was time to head home. The flight was miserable because I was so tired but I am weird and can't sleep on a plane. Kathleen and I are definitely too old to jam pack as much as we did into three days. Or maybe we just need to wear more comfortable shoes next time?   :)

I was so excited to get home to my fiancee and puppy! I was completely shocked when I pulled up into the garage and Kyle walks out holding flowers for me and telling me he missed me and welcome home! It was so unbelievably sweet. I love him so much! 



To Kathleen's rommates: Thank you for letting me bum around for the week! You made my trip fun and I am glad my best friend is living with great people!

To Kathleen: Thank you for the most wonderful trip ever! I am always happy when we get to be little kids together and I love any time I am with you. You truly are the bestest friend any one can ask for!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! Although I am extremely sad that you officially live so far away (for a longer period of time than I am used to) , I know we will make sure we have more trips and childish moments together, and also Skype ALL THE TIME! Love you!


TRUE BFF's.

Friday, July 29, 2011

Small, chic desk for my classroom!

So there are going to be A LOT of changes this upcoming year in the way we teach reading and writing. So ultimately we are going to revamp all the kinder classrooms in a way. If anyone saw my class last year, you would have seen that my desk was an old kidney table that I shared with the kiddos at center time. I loved it but with this new stuff this year, we just can't let it stay that way. Four other teachers had the same thing and we all decided that we would get our own SMALL desks to grade at and hold our paperwork. No students allowed haha.

Needless to say, since May I have been craigslist hunting for a desk. I was so sad when I saw that all desks were like $50. I was mad because I wanted to spend as little as possible so that I could spend more on the stuff for the kiddos. I could NOT find a deal anywhere.

A few weeks ago I got lucky and found someone that was moving and had to get rid of everything. I got a little ugly turquoise desk for $15. I was soooo happy! Here is the transformation:
Necessities. Paint, FOAM brushes (more of that later), two grains of sand paper and scissors.



Before it was sooo ugly. Poorly painted and beaten up! It had large dried paint drips and worst of all, she obviously spilled soda down the back of it and let it dry. Disgusting.

I began sanding... the WORST part of any painting job. My arm was sore because I was cheap and refused to buy an electric sander. Bad decision.... must...stop..being...cheap.


 Side Note: Make sure you use a really fine sandpaper after the rough one because using foam brushes will show all the roughness and grain.
It annoyed me that the paint was so gooped up in the crevasses because that is the best part about wood pieces. People, PLEASE PAINT THINGS CORRECTLY. Poor desk.
Make sure to prime everything or it will chip! I use primer for plastic instead of wood because it adheres better and you NEVER get chips. Its an amazing tip I learned from my mommy!

I used a flat finish because I like the old timey look it gives things sometimes. Plus, if you are writing on a high-gloss painted desk, your paper will stick to it. If you want the glossy look, use a flat paint then go over it with polyurethane. Ta-da, no sticky shineyness.
You might think I am a weirdo; I paint furniture with foam brushes. If you have enough practice with it, you will probably love it as much as I do. If you hold it the right way, it gives it such a smooth look. NO MORE BRUSH STROKES!!! Not to mention, it gets into holes and edges amazingly. 

All done. I don't think this picture does the paint color justice. Its a greyish brown in person and here it just looks a little awkward and a weird light brown. I WILL be getting new handles but I haven't gotten around to it. I am going to find the perfect old timey black ones that will look great!
I love my desk. Its perfect to have my lamp, laptop and papers to be graded on! I can't wait to create my little teacher nook in my classroom... I go back to school on the 8th; I hope I have time for a blog about my classroom transformation. Love, love, love!

Friday, July 1, 2011

Friday Favorites


My Morning Coffee... I don't drink it to wake myself up. I sit and sip it to enjoy my morning! I love lounging and watching whatever I DVRed the night before or reading when I am drinking my coffee. LOVE IT.




PINK sweats... Oh my goodness, by FAR the most comfortable things ever. Pricey but if you wait until the semi-annual sale and stock up then, then you get a good deal. Perfect combination with my morning coffee!


Nail polish with glitter... I am a little obsessed and have been for quite a while. I don't know why though because it is a pain in the BUTT to take off. Even with that in mind, I might be going out to hunt this color down today. I WANT IT.


Bath and Body Works candles... Definitely the best candles you can get. They are usually 2 for $20 and burn better and smell stronger than Yankee (or whatever top brand) which you can usually just get one for $25. We burn them all the time. So many delicious smells and I am obsessed with changing them for each season or depending on the weather. I am a weirdo. Right now we are burning Sparkling Mojito and Caribbean Salsa. Sooooo good!



Online Window Shopping... So I don't actually ever buy anything (well, usually) because I am a cheap-skate but I love looking at lots of stores online fantasizing about all the amazing clothes and things I could possibly have. Right now my obsession is looking for dresses for the wedding we are going to this month and clothes and swim suits to wear to Florida. Ugh I am a loser.


Rain... The non-existent rain that we have here depresses me. WE NEED RAIN! Not only do I love it, but the fires in the area are getting out of control. Rain, rain, please come our way!


Vintage Everything... Vintage wedding stuff is amazing and makes me melt inside just a little. Lately I haven't just been obsessed with the wedding stuff but everything. It is just beautiful and so romantic.

That is all for this Friday! Hopefully I remember to do this next week, it was fun!