What Would Martha Do?

Today's adventure..

I forgot to let everyone know what it is that I will be working on today! Today, I will  organize Lilly's clothes to give to friend that will be having a little girl in May. I also forgot to mention that my friend, Michelle, brought by a potter's wheel to give me. Do I know how to throw pots? ...dumb question. Ray has had more pots  thrown at him then I care to remember. One time I threw a crock pot full of bean and ham soup at him. I missed him but hit our kitchen window. That was interesting to explain to my mom, alive at the time, why I had glass and beans on my porch!  So, today's list is" organize Lilly's clothes, print out on iron-on paper for a quilt I plan to sew, and keep warm. Wish me luck with the warm part.

December 31, 2008

Hi all, here to report on my successes and failures of yesterday's list! Check out my before and after spice cabinet pics.

Please sing the following to the tune of twelve Days of Christmas respectively: 
I found.... 5 bottles of cake toppings, four cream of tartars, three baking powders, two almond extracts and a 12-year old economy size jar of bay leaves. Ta-Dah..Also I found a new unopened black glitter for cookies. Whatever for you may ask?...well, in my *super* teacher days, I was going to make Kwanzaa pretzel sticks with black, green, and red decorations.That never happened and I cannot remember  why as it was such a good idea. I mean, everyone knows that Hanover pretzels are the official sponsors of Kwanzaa celebrations everywhere, right?
So, spice cabinet cleaned out, check.
 Maybe not to Martha's superior perfectionism but done nonetheless. I will keep all posted on the spice cabinet's upkeep. Please note that some spices have lost their lids. I did this on purpose so the herbs could breathe.  Yes, very important to allow air circulation around the delicate leaves. No, seriously, you should keep them as airtight as possible.  Do not listen to the mad ramblings of an insane wanna-be.
Next project completed was a 6- inch deep trench dug to plant 300 spring flowering bulbs. Yes, I am late but I was later last year so I am improving and they did not goto  waste! And they will still bloom as planting them late has become a very bad habit. I totally blackmailed Isaac into diggin' the trench as I told him I wouldn't drive him to Wal-mart to return his Guitar Hero game unless he did it. Success!

When you have compost:
Make a new compost bin! Check out this gardening blog for DIY instructions. I didnt use these, Isaac just made the design from scracth!

new name new attitude

Hi all...Well, as I am waking up and realizing that I am almost 36 with 4 kids, a full time job, a 200-year old house and neglected gardens and closets, I turn once again to my secret idol. Hell, its no secret, I love Martha Stewart. So, I have to  change my blog to "What Would Martha do?" Everyday, I am going to tackle one area in my home with the gusto of Martha and you get to come along on the ride. Now, I know what you are thinking... I am setting myself up for failure. Are you kidding? Have you seen me or my house?  Things can only go up from here. How does that Shania Twain song go?  I think I am a   good person. I am friendly, creative, funny at times, not so funny at other times, spastic, ADD totally...wait...   what was I talking about ? Oh yeah...I was describing myself...I am a good mother but I am like every other mother in that I def. have my shortcomings such as housework. I hate *HATE* to clean. When does my bed get made?...when I wash my sheets..which is more regular than one might think....
So, on my list today?  I am going to clean out my spice cabinet. So be tuned in  for pics of my before spice cabinet and after. I cant wait. I am also going to plant 50.00 worth of bulbs that have been waiting to get in the ground. Would Martha let that happen I ask you? No!
I am off...wish me luck!

Christmas Hangover

Greetings all. Today I actually put away all of my Christmas decorations here at my cabin. I  know, I know but listen before judging me, ok?  I have off this week and next week I go to work full time. 25 second graders sucking every bit of energy out of me:) I love it seriously. Well, I am new to this bloggy life but I wanted to share with all who care to read my accomplishments for the day.
1) Decorations put away
2) New compost bin made out of pallets
3) Jewelry parts ordered for Sophie to make scrabble tiles (from this tutorial)
4) Booked Denny for dancing with Denny at our 4-h club
5) Elliptical for 30 minutes
6) Cleaned out two drawers from my baker's table
To do still: 
1)hook new printer up
2)try to print  on iron-on paper that I have had for years ( I broke my laser printer a few months ago when I tried to print on iron-on paper...dont try it, this will ruin your printer, I had forgotten why I had this paper laying around and never used it)

I found this on Viv's Post; I italicized ones I have done......mmmm
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Phew...I have lots to do.

Second Grade Resources

HI, as you know my job is that of a teacher. I enjoy this job and truly have much passion for it. I thought I would share my favorite teaching ideas and lesson plans with you!  Some are my original ideas while others are begged borrowed and stolen. Home- school moms/dads  and teachers alike can use these ideas.