Currently September

It's been awhile since I coveted Currently on my blog and now is about time!  With the coming of September, this means I have already been in school for a month...whaaaaaaa?!  We finished our 4th week of school this past Friday and it already feels overwhelming.

Listening

We are settled in for the night after being out all day on our much needed date day.  So, this means one of our three kitties is sleeping soundly between the two of us on the couch.  The UFC fight was a PayPer View fight and we couldn't watch it till tonight...plus, both of us didn't really want to see it badly enough because the main card was changed when one of the fighters didn't make weight and had to drop out.  I may be speaking Japanese to some out there at this point...but we enjoy it!  :-)

Loving

I've said this a ton to so many friends and on Facebook in the last few weeks.  But it really is nice to be a teacher since we get to start all over each school year.  This means we can take the time to figure out what to change, improve on, or keep the same each summer. 

Thinking

I posted this on Facebook yesterday...

(source)

Sure I could do some swimming or barbecuing tomorrow...but I have a HUGE to-do list of things I haven't been able to get done in the last couple weeks.  In fact, my hubby came to my classroom with me today (on a Sunday) to help me scan and put away about 50-60 new library books that have been sitting at the back of my classroom since the week before school started.  Sigh.  This is the life we lead.  

Wanting

So speaking of which, wouldn't it be nice to have a 3-day weekend every week?  How many of us say this every time we have a 3-day weekend though.  

Needing

Only educators could really understand the enormity of how hard it is to readjust to life with a paycheck again.  The first couple months are always a time to play catch up.  That is all I really have to say about that.  Know what I mean?

3 Trips

I've been lucky to do a lot of traveling, when I was younger, so my list probably looks different than most.  On the other hand, it was really hard to pick just 3 places because I was bit by the travel bug a long long long time ago.  Out of the 10 countries I've visited in Europe, I'd love to go back to every single one of them.  But I didn't get to visit Spain on my two trips to Europe in my 20s, so that is a place I definitely want to go some day.  My hubby, the pitmaster, has been to Austin, Texas a couple times and there are so many cool places I want to be able to go...including several of the famous BBQ spots like Franklin's.  Enough said there.  I have been to France, but didn't really enjoy Paris at all. But I would absolutely love to go to the Riviera to hit up the awesome beaches and scenery.

Join up with Farley and a ton of other teachers for a Currently linky party here.

Currently June

It's been awhile since I was able to sit and enjoy one of Farley's Currently posts.  I am a week into my summer break...have had one school-related nightmare and have been hitting the gym every day!  So, here's to a celebratory Currently!

Listening

I've had a fascination with learning about WWII since learning about Pearl Harbor when I was in 6th grade.  From there, I began to find the Holocaust interesting (and I mean that in a way that means I despise this happened)...reading quite a few memoirs, historical fiction, and more ever since.  So, when I found out The History Channel was showing a new 3-part mini-series, I had to record it!  My hubby and I are watching Part 2 and both of us have learned a lot we didn't even know about...me more so.  As we sit here, my hubby is calling out the names of all the planes (he is a fan).  For example, I had no idea America only had 100,000 troops around the time we HAD to become part of WWI.  We found out why Hitler had his icky little mustache too...when he was in the trenches of WWI, he wasn't able to seal his gas mask when gas was thrown in.  So, he chopped the sides of it off with a knife right there in the trenches.  Seeing how Hitler rose to power, as well as other fascist leaders, is giving me the willies.  I highly recommend you watch this mini-series too!

Loving

Oh summer break how I love thee!  Let me count the ways.  I printed out the gym schedules for the 3 that I go to (gotta love the multi-gym pass I have with LA Fitness) and figured out how to fit in as much yoga, Zumba, and now Pilates as possible.  It feels great!  I have only read 13 books so far and normally I would have read double that by now.  This is because I would come home after work and just plop down on the couch to watch mindless TV in order not to stew over and think about the day's events or next day's events as much as possible.  

Thinking

I am retaking 2 parts of my National Boards this year as I only missed certifying by 6 teeny tiny points. I already submitted my Entry 3 portfolio for scoring, now all I need to do is take the Science section of my Assessment Center exercises.  I've made notecards of several Accomplished Teaching Standards and the Unifying Concepts in order to pull them for evidence during my written exam...but I haven't studied!  Thank goodness I am meeting with a fellow candidate friend to study tomorrow.  Procrastination at its finest!!

Wanting

My Assessment Center exam is on Thursday morning 8:30 am.  So, as soon as I have that day behind me...technically, that half an hour...my summer break is golden!!

Needing

There seems to be a running theme here!...and that is summer break.  After Thursday morning is gone and behind me, I would love this summer break to go by at the speed of molasses.  

Summer Bucket List

I have so many books on my to-read list since I am behind, this also includes some professional reads I've been excited to read for the last month or so.  If you'd like to see what books I have on my list, HERE is a blog post I just put up the other day.  Also, I am going to be hosting part of The Brownbag Teacher's book talk in a couple weeks for Reading in the Wild.

For the first time since we basically moved to Arizona (9 years ago), my hubby is getting paid-vacation time from his new job!  So, we are heading back home to San Diego to enjoy a week in cooler weather. We can't wait!

Like I said, I need as much time to regroup, refresh, replenish, and get up the strength again to conquer this upcoming school year.  See all the above for how I plan to do that.  :-)

Link up with Farley and a ton of other teachers to share your Currently.  Thanks for visiting!

Currently March

Sure, I'm supposed to be working hard on my National Boards Entry 3 right now, since I'm at a Coaching Saturday event.  But I really wanted to get this up first!  Sooooooo...this is a bit of a Boards themed Currently.

Listening

I am at a Coaching Saturday event in order to work on my National Boards entry 3.  There are a ton of people here getting coaching and work done, so there's a ton of talking around me and amazing conversations about collaborating, reflecting, and imagining.  For me, I'm just supposed to be sitting here planning my next several Science lessons because I need to make sure I am using Math to move the Science learning forward.  

Loving

It rained this morning.  For about 3 minutes.  Seriously Arizona?  I despise you right now.

Thinking

I'm here working till 3 and the celebration starts at 5:30.  Soooooooo...this is all about concentrating on my HUGE task at hand.  You know?  After I'm done with this blog post of course.  LOLOLOL

Wanting

Did I mention this rainy weather didn't last long?  I suppose I should at least be happy that the cloud is still full of dark clouds.  So there's that.

Needing

I had really hoped to have videotaped my entry lesson by now.  But it is testing season and so this hasn't happened.  So, planning these lessons today will definitely help!  Next step, figuring out who is going to tape me.  My hubby did it last year but his new job is during the day...soooooooo I am in quite the conundrum.  

?????

These are the items I really NEED whenever I am at these coaching events!  Mountain Dew is especially essential after lunch when I hit a wall.  

Have any of my readers achieved National Board certification or are in the process?  I am a retake candidate and am working on 1 entry and 1 assessment exercise this year.

Currently February

How is it that January seemed to go by sooooooooo slowly, yet February is already here?!  It's my birthday month, meaning I won't even mention how old I will be, and that also means things like parent conferences are around the corner as well as state testing.  Here is my link up with Farley for this month.

Listening:

Our cats are hanging out on the couch with us as we unwind from the week.  They are snoring up a storm and quite LOUDLY.  And yes, I'm a reality TV junkie and even though I tell myself I will stop watching Real World, I always seem to watch it anyway...because it is there to watch.  When nothing else is on, then it keeps me company.  Although, the San Francisco season on right now is quite the trainwreck.  Trainwreck.

Loving

I also scored myself the signature color, Over and Over-A-Gwen, from OPI's Gwen Stefani collection the other day via Amazon.  It's the little things that seem to make me excited these days and I can't stop playing with and looking at this gorgeous red bottle.  It also came with studs and Swarovski crystals. Score!!

And we were supposed to get in the 80s here by today and I am sooooooooo happy to have woken up to cloudy and overcast skies, a nice cool 60 degrees, and a cold breeze instead.  The winters here are lousy and most people who live here want to have a true break from heat.  But we have only had true cool temps for about a month.  It's been jumping up into the 70s and 80s the last week and I'm irritated!

Thinking:

See the above.  'Nuff said.

Wanting:

I seem to want fruity (not chocolate) candy like a crazy person lately.  There isn't any in the house, which is a good thing. But that doesn't mean I don't want it!

Needing:

I already have a sub secured, but the thought of having to put together 3 days in a row of sub plans is stressing me out.  My team is deconstructing on Wednesday (on campus) and then I have my first Gifted conference on Thursday and Friday.  But the sub plans are definitely daunting.  Who wants to do them for me?!

2 Truths and a Fib:

I'm falling back on my typical answers to this one.  It's too late at night for me to think of some new ones.  

YEP - I have visited 12 countries...England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, Greece, Netherlands, Mexico.  Aaaaaand, I totally can't think of the last one.  Maybe I need to go to bed.

YEP - I grew up in San Diego and the community I lived in was a quick 10-minute drive from the beach.  We were also only about 30 minutes from the mountains and desert.  I definitely miss living in California.  BIG TIME!

NOPE - Not tap and jazz.  But I actually danced hula from the time I was 5 to 19 and I also danced tahitian from about 9 to 19.  

January Currently

Hellooooooo 2014!  I'm in denial that it is already time for another Currently, even though I really enjoy linking up with Farley each month.  But the true reason for this denial?  My winter break is almost over!

Listening

If you were a fan of rock in the 90s, you should most definitely get yourself the Slacker app!  They play songs on this particular station I haven't heard since high school like Korn, Stone Temple Pilots, Rob Zombie, and more.  Talk about walking down memory lane.  We were playing it earlier while we took down Christmas decorations and my hubby was laughing because of a Pantera song playing...he mentioned something about it being an anti-Christmas song to the core.  LOL.

Loving

I feel like I need to do a separate post on all the goodies I grabbed up the couple days after Christmas via all the sales, and well, non sales.  But one of those is a really nice hair dryer I picked up on clearance for $15 at my local Beauty Brands.  It is a $65 hair dryer!  Whoop whoop!!!  The hairdryer I have been using the past 8 years or so worked just fine, but it was time to get something different.  I can't believe how soft and less frizzy my hair has been these last 2 times I have used the new one. Score a point for me and my hair!!

Thinking

This morning I woke up ready to finally sit down and get started with my lesson plans for next week.  For the last several weeks before break, I was in that mindset (happens every year) in which I didn't feel like spending much time on them.  So, they were vague and lacked the details I normally put in them.  Hopefully, I will sit down here in a little while and feel more invigorated.  I also need to work on my next Teachers Pay Teachers extension menu for prefixes and affixes that we used months ago!

Wanting

Last week especially went by in the blink of an eye.  It was a whirlwind of cleaning the house, getting the last of the Christmas presents wrapped, and trying to enjoy my first week.  Before I knew it, Christmas was over.  Thankfully, the week has slowed down, but I can't believe there is only 3 more days left.  Waaaaaaaaah!!  I've had a seriously rough group this year and I don't know if I'm ready to go back to them yet.  Did I mention my stylist found my very first gray hair (she knows my hair after these last 8 years) last month?  She told me it had 3 months of growth...AKA, my seriously trying group. Yep.

Tradition

My mom and I have been going shopping the day after Christmas for many years now.  It is just one of those things we have always done.  We usually stop somewhere to get decorations on sale.  But then the rest of the time is spent spending those gift cards or cash we got for presents at the mall.  I look forward to it every year!  

December Currently

It's December 1, which means I can officially start celebrating Christmas.  I already tuned my car radio to the 24/7 Christmas music station.  The Christmas tree has been put up (not finished though...I'll get to that down below).  My girlfriends and I had our favorites party today too.  Thank goodness!  I'm sick of covering my ears and eyes when I walk into stores who have been playing and putting out stuff since the beginning of October.  Yeah!  You probably think I'm a scrooge now...but I'm really not...in fact, I'm quite the obsessed Christmas fan.  After all, it is my favorite holiday!

The spread from our favorites party earlier today...my favorites is at the bottom of this photo.  I brought my favorite pampering items (Freeman's masks, nail polish, and cupcakes from my favorite local bakery)

Listening:  

Nope, I'm not afraid to admit that I am a fan of RHOA, or reality television in general.  Actually, my favorite set of housewives are the Beverly Hills ladies.  But I absolutely love Nene and can't get enough.  I could easily do without Kenya though as she is quite irritating.  For those who are fans...what do you think of Candy's mom being incredibly crazy and psychopath-like with Todd.  She's a bit overbearing and up in her business?  Trainwreck!

Loving:

Technically, I didn't actually score fantastic deals...unless you include the 3 or 4 Blu-Rays we found at Target for $4 each.  It was just nice to go out with my husband and do a little fun shopping together.  I cheated and bought the pair of black boots I just put on my Christmas wishlist the other day  (see picture below...and check out the best part on the back of the boot).  Whoops!  The thing is, I didn't want to miss out since I wear a pretty typical size shoe.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it.  So, I also scored myself the 2 seriously gorgeous Essie nail polishes from their winter 2013 line.  Check 'em out!  Need. To. Wear. Soon!

Image from Pinterest - Target

Thinking:

The 5-day break I am just finishing up here was a really nice relaxing one.  I was able to get cleaning done along with some shopping and lounging as well.  Not to mention, I got to hang out with friends and enjoy some time without worrying about work or my classroom.  So, I am dreading these next 3 weeks because they are sure to drag even though 3 weeks sounds like such a short amount of time.  In fact, the 3rd week is our 2nd quarter district benchmark testing week and that means testing all day long in a silent testing environment...think state testing.  Yep!  Dreading it.

Wanting:

I was really looking forward to getting my tree put up along with some of my many many many decorations.  We have one of those fake trees that comes in what seems like a million pieces, so it takes almost 2 hours to put up!  That is without even putting on the lights or decorations.  Okay, so I actually got it up in a record amount of time and when I plugged in the 2 strings of lights, I remembered that one of them has an entire color that is burnt out.  Of course, this happened last year, but I was too lazy to toss it and buy a new set.  I went out to Target to grab a new string, got home, plugged it in, started to wind it around the tree, and what happens?  It is too short!!  Gah!  Luckily, my nice hubby grabbed another string while he was out on his dinner break.  

Needing:

We always get our performance check (for passing the state test the year before) about 2 weeks before Christmas.  In the past, I have lovingly used this to buy my family their gifts.  My favorite part of Christmas is being able to put in some creative thought to find the perfect gift for everyone.  So, I relish that check and always chomp at the bit waiting for it to be passed out.  It needs to happen soon!!  My palms are itching.

Favorite Tradition:

Since this is my favorite holiday, I tend to have quite a few favorite traditions.  I'll probably have to do a whole other blog post on this.  But I'd say the newest tradition is something my husband and I started doing last year.  We each stuffed the other's stocking with goodies and then before our family comes over for Christmas morning festivities, we sit down in our Christmas pajamas and open them up.  It's even more fun than opening up our regular gifts!  I couldn't believe all the little items he stuffed in there. Plus, it was a ball being able to stuff his stocking with little gadgets and man-cave type stuff.

Link up with the many other teachers on Farley's blog.  What are you currently up to?

November Currently

It's November...and I wish I could be more excited!  But the weather here is still hot, hot, hot.  At least I get to do my monthly Currently post to help me sort of feel like I can join the rest of the world (or it seems that way) celebrating the fall's arrival.  Sigh.

Listening:  Let's not talk about the dishwasher.  But I have a bit of a love for the new Saturday Lifetime movies each week.  When they don't have one premiere on Saturday night, I get a little bent out of shape...since I tend to watch them while I lesson plan.  This one that just premiered yesterday is definitely a snoozer, but it really does make great background noise and a visual distraction when I need it.  Anyone else love Lifetime movies?

Loving:  I used to have a natural-light photography business.  It barely got off the ground before I had to give it up. Teaching is my life and that just takes precedence.  But I'm at the point now where I'd love to be able to take photographs for my friends and their families.  I got to shoot an engagement session in a really beautiful area here in Arizona.  I'll be posting my favorite photos here on the blog once I'm done editing.  Actually, I'll put up one or two of them now as a little sneak peek.

So there you have it, a little peek into my photography life.  My bestie, Beth, is pregnant with her first child and I have vowed to take pictures of her little Jeremiah when he is born and every year after!  I am supposed to shoot her maternity session next weekend, so I look forward to that!!

Thinking:  I have my once-a-year formal observation/evaluation tomorrow afternoon.  I don't get super nervous over these because I know I am doing my job well with impacting my students' learning.  Plus, I don't like to put together a fancy lesson just because I am being evaluated.  I go with the flow and do my normal lessons just as they are.  But my new assistant principal is my evaluator this year so this is someone who hasn't necessarily been in my room for more than 5-8 minutes at a time.  It's a little nerve-wracking.  Plus, I am doing a very very very different kind of lesson with that awesome book I blogged about recently, Math Misconceptions! It is very open and exploratory for my students...and really, me.  She is excited to see it and I'm excited to teach it, but definitely feeling the nervous twinges.

Wanting:  Desperately wanting it to cool off here!  At this point, I'd really take the low 70s.  This whole low to high 80s thing is absolutely RIDICULOUS!  I want to be able to pull out my favorite fall boots and sweaters.  Not to mention, I'm ready to retire my sleeveless tired ol' work tops too.  Sigh.

Needing:  Technically, I'd like to say I need the weather to cool off, but I think I made my point. However, I need to do a Sephora shop badly.  Several of my everyday beauty items are on their last legs.  I am pretty sure I need to do it online since going to the mall to shop would be a bad bad idea. Temptations as I walk past all my favorite stores that is.  For one, I'm almost out of my favorite hand lotion, Soap & Glory's Hand Food.  Have you ever used it?  It is the best stuff to use before bed and even in the morning.  I want to get the smaller bottle for my purse, but I never seem to be able to find it in the store.

A Yummy Pin:  Seeing as how I have an obsession with peanut butter and then even more so when it is combined with chocolate, this one is definitely calling my name.  I have a feeling I might attempt to make this for Thanksgiving!  It would be a great contribution to the feast my husband and friend are going to slave over.

Join in the Currently fun and make your own for your blog.  Link up with Oh' Boy Fourth Grade!

October Currently

I am seriously ecstatic this time around since it is officially my fall break in only about 15 hours!!! Wooohooooooooo!!!  I can't wait to be able to sleep in for 5 extra mornings and get some major chores done that have been put on the back burner.

Listening:  I just got home from finishing up my looooooooong and tiring fall student/parent conferences and am holed up on the couch watching the latest episode of Project Runway.  Who else is a fan of this show?  My favorite designer got kicked off last week, so I'm a bit sad.  Now I'm trying to decide who I prefer most out of who is left.  Helen is irritating and I'm tired of hearing her whine and cry.

Loving:  While it is still in the 90s around here during the day, it is extremely nice to have cooler evening and morning temps.  I always know the end of a desert summer is in sight when the evenings start cooling down.  But last year when this happened, we still had 90-100 degree days way into November.  I truly hope that does not happen again, because it made me extremely cranky and irritated last year.  It's time to bust out of my favorite boots and sweaters!!

Thinking:  Most people do the whole spring cleaning thing.  Well, I run on a teacher's schedule and I do most of my cleaning whenever we are on a break.  I have only been able to read about one book every 2 weeks, which is truly horrible for me!!!  I have so many books on my to-read list (if you don't believe me, check out my Goodreads list) and I would really enjoy doing some major sitting on my patio with a book and some hot tea in the mornings...this whole upcoming week of fall break.

Wanting:  I haven't had a cold for almost an entire year (for a teacher, this is really good!) and that has a lot to do with the fact that I usually catch them fast enough to get rid of it using many teacher tricks.  But this one snuck up on me out of the blue on Saturday morning.  I went from feeling perfectly fine to having a sore throat.  While I'm fairly certain it started as allergies, it has moved into my sinuses and I'm not happy at all.  I had to go through a whole week of conferences talking like a man and a stuffed up ball of cotton.  Blech!

Needing:  Okay, so like I said, these are more like wanting.  But I can't help it!  This fall season I have 3 things on my to-buy list.  It's high time I get myself a graphic sweater...I'd like one with a super cute fox on it.  But I haven't seen one I like yet....I sort of missed out on the best one last year from Old Navy.  For the past 2 years I have talked myself out of getting the lace up ankle studded boots.  Every time I walk past them in stores, I stop and stare at them.  So, I decided it's time to get a pair this year since I can't seem to stop obsessing.  Now it's a matter of finding the right pair...I tried a pair on at a cheap little store the other day and thankfully they look pretty darn good on me!  The hunt is on.  I also want to replace my large doctor bag purse that I have been coveting the past 2 years.  I'm a bit tired of carrying a large purse around and want to downsize, but not sure if I can make the jump.  I've already tried so many and can't seem to find the right purse.  Sigh.  

The sweater I missed out on from last season

From Target's Phillip Lim collection...the bag I actually want but can't find anywhere!!

Trick or Treat:  In this case, I am sharing a treat!  I don't have a fancy TeachersPayTeachers store because I just don't have the time to take a lot of my creations and pretty them up enough to put them up for sale.  One day maybe.  But the first thing I put up in my store last year is something I truly love and have used every year since I started teaching 9 years ago.  It is my Pumpkin Math activity and it is only $2.50 in my store.  My kids drool over this every year because it is hands-on and chalk full of math, getting their hands dirty, and more.  I drool over it too because I'm still proud of my crazy clip art and design skills on this one. Go get you some!  There's no way an administrator could walk in and accuse you of doing something piddly.  It has all sorts of math weaved in, including estimation.  Enjoy!

See?  I don't know how to or have time to get too fancy with my stuff on TPT.

Page 1 of  Pumpkin Math Activity (there is also a 2nd page)

Link up with Farley and share your Currently!

Currently September

It's a new month and with that comes a new Currently!  I'm now in my 4th week (technically 5th, but we started mid-week) and it seems my students are getting a much better hang of my routines and expectations.  Not sure what I mean?...here is my last post.

Listening:  When I get home from work each day, I tend to flop on to the couch because I'm so hot and sweaty from the ride home.  I put on a mindless show while I eat a snack and wind down.  Thank goodness for air conditioning in the desert!  Teen Mom 3 is a total guilty pleasure along with so many other reality TV shows I watch...but it's the perfect thing to watch while I adjust to being home.

Loving:  Who doesn't love a 4-day week?!  It's the 2nd best part of a 3-day weekend.  Although, for some reason 4-day work weeks always seem to go by slower.  It must be Murphy's Law or something.

Thinking:  I'm still playing quite a bit of catch-up since school started.  While I feel like I'm adjusting more to the new school year, there's always something I realize I forgot or didn't do yet...whether it's at home or at work.

Wanting:  I subscribed to a new beauty/women's box 2 months ago (after canceling Glossybox and I still get Ipsy)...it was full till September...so I finally get one this month!!  I can't wait to find it waiting for me in our mailbox and pop it open.  I'd love to put it up on the blog with pictures and a review each month.  So keep your out for that!

I would love...by the end of the month:
1)  Like I said, I am playing catch up constantly...but this applies to doing chores at home so much more.  Lots of laundry and organizing.  Where's a maid when you need one?!
2)  I've been slowly getting back into reading books for fun and I'm hoping to get through 3 books this month.
3) Speaking of catching up...it would be nice to hang out with friends more this month now that school isn't eating up my every waking hour.

Link up with Farley and post your own Currently!  

Currently || Back to School Already?!

Seriously?!  It's already a new month...and of course, August means going back to work and back to school.  Teachers officially reported back yesterday in my district here in Arizona and our students start next Wednesday.  

These last 4 days have been completely full of meetings and trainings without any time to be in my classroom at all.  But I'm ready to get back in to my routine, meet my new students, and get this 2013-2014 party started.  My to-do list is still forever long even though I've crossed off so many items in this last month.  The life of a teacher...a never ending to-do list.  Never ending.

Listening:

If you are not from Arizona (or even India really) or have never lived here in the summertime, you probably don't know what monsoon season is or what it is really like.  Here, when the dew point gets up to 55 degrees for 5 days straight, the monsoon season basically arrives.  That means gigantic dust storms (think The Mummy)...let me help you visualize:

courtesy of The Mummy

But the dust storms here are much worse and at least another mile higher.  They travel at super high speeds and knock down power lines, tear roofs off houses, split trees, and are horrible to get stuck in. We have to pull over if we are on the road or freeway...and forget running the air conditioner while you sit roasting in your 100 degree car, unless you want to get a lungful of dust (even if you have the outside air turned off).

The upside is we also have crazy rainstorms with microbursts.  Remember the scene in Forrest Gump when he is describing the different kinds of rain when he was in Vietnam?  Well, we tend to get the sideways rain the most.  It pounds down and causes flash floods.  We love it the most when we get to watch the electric storms and listen to the thunder pounding though.  It happens almost nightly for about 2 months.

Loving:

I got an email that I had won a copy of a T.R. Ragan book...but it is the 3rd in a series.  Since I haven't read the first two books, I started reading the first one called Abducted.  It's about a woman who was abducted by a serial killer but was his only victim to actually escape.  The book takes off about 14 years or so later as she receives a mysterious note that is most likely from her abductor, who seems to have come back from the dead . It is sooooooo good!  And?  It was only $2.99 for Kindle!  Stay tuned for my next What I Read Wednesday when I put up my review and a more detailed summary of it.

Thinking:

Like I already said, my first day of school is next Wednesday and Meet the Teacher Night is the night before.  I'm hoping to have a fantastic turn-out as I have had in the past so I can meet as many of my 31 students as possible.  It is always a little awkward having to meet the families for the first time because everyone, including me, get a wave of shyness.  But I also love being able to meet them and get a view into what my year will be like.  This year I hope to make stronger connections with the parents to improve our communication throughout the year.

Wanting:

I cannot wait to do my annual first day of school outfit shopping with my bestie, Beth!!  We have done it the past 4 years or so.  It's like being a kid again.  And that's exactly what I am, a little kid at heart. This is what I bought and wore last year for my first day of school.  Here's hoping I score a super cute dress from The Limited, Dillards, or Nordstrom Rack...that is my goal!!

Skirt and top from Forever 21 and my heels are from Dillard's...all bought last summer

Needing:

I have been working on my to-do list for what seems like all summer long.  No matter how many things I cross off, my list seems to stay just as full as it was at the beginning of the summer.  Sigh.

B2S Must-Haves:

It was hard to only include one TPT item for my Back-to-School must haves.
1)  But one I'm really looking forward to using, and believe me, there are quite a few...is this awesome bundle set that I bought from Teaching in Room 6.

2)  Looking forward to using this in my classroom to better help my students master their multiplication (and eventually their division) facts.  Laura Candler is amazing and I took a free webinar a couple weeks ago.  This item makes me excited to get my kids feeling confident!

3)  Of course, I had to go into Pinterest to look for one of the pins on that looooooong to-do list I mentioned earlier.  This is an item I have seen in other classrooms and keep wanting to put in mine.  I think this new school year is the perfect time to do so.  My class and I always seem to embrace these things, but this sign puts it out there right away and lets them know what their 5th grade journey will be like from the get-go.

I'm joining up with Oh Boy Fourth Grade's monthly linky party for the first time this month.  Here's the button and a link to her Currently post in case you'd like to join up with us.

Currently Linky Party