Five for Friday

I've been a busy reader on my summer break. Here are my most recent reads. I really enjoyed Whistling Past the Graveyard. What have you been reading?  I need more ideas.

I've been enjoying my time with Harley too this summer. Just as the school year was ending he had to have his 2nd surgery this year. He's quickly becoming one pricey dog! He had a huge mass/swelling under his neck area that seemed to appear overnight. Surgery was done to get to the bottom of the issue. The vet thought it might be his salivary gland or cancer. After a biopsy, it showed that it wasn't cancer and just a huge infection of the salivary area. Now a side effect of Harley's surgery is one side of his lip hangs low and he can't control his drooling, so as a good mama I'm wiping his mouth several times a day. I wouldn't trade it for any other option though.  I even got this decorative pillow at Kohl's that has the cutest quote:  All you need is love and a dog.

I'm joining in with many other sellers to have a TPT Christmas in July sale.  You can certainly grab some great deals.  I've put my most popular bundles on sale with even greater discounts than the typical TPT sitewide sales. Shop on July 13th and 14th and search on TPT using the phrases:

ChristmasinJuly or #ChristmasinJuly (no spaces).

Any goose down pillow lovers out there? I've had them since a child and never considered anything else, but my current ones were getting a bit raggedy. I made the switch to a latex pillow my mom suggested and I'm pretty happy with it.

No soda for me since school ended and to be honest I haven't really missed it. I've been drinking lots of water and iced tea with no added sugar. For my water I've used a diffuser and have flavored the water with sliced lemons and grapefruit.  What other combinations would be good? Let me know.

Find more great ideas on my Pinterest page or TPT store

Office Space

I'm about two weeks into my summer vacation and have been occupied with some home "catch up" cleaning. I've worked on spiffing up things I've neglected during the school year....dusting, cleaning windows (YUCK), organizing cupboards and so on.  So when I saw this fun share your office space linky I knew it was right up my alley.

I have a whole spare room office. I use it mainly for storage of all my teacher junk. I keep my paper cutter, laminator and all sorts of disorganized piles of nonsense inside the closet that I did not take a picture of. So on the bright side of things it looks like my office is neat as can be.

 

Even though my office has plenty of desk space, I find I do not do any of my computer work for grading, lesson planning or TPT creating there. I much prefer sitting at my dining room table to do all that, with my dog, Harley, lounging under the table at my feet usually.

Harley is my work buddy. He's a big ol lab and he just has to crowd into my work space.

So what does your home work space look like? Link on up and share along with Schroeder's Shenaningans in Second Grade and Lucky Little Learners.

Find more great ideas on my Pinterest page or TPT store

It's Five for Friday

I've never been a big breakfast eater, but I'm trying to eat a little something to start my day. I add these yummy Cinnamon Oat Clusters to my greek yogurt.

I got a nice card from my principal this week, as I'm off work still recuperating from surgery.

 

For spelling homework or word work in class I have a collection of worksheets students complete.

I wanted to add a new variety so I made up a few new ones: place value spelling, secret code, and coin value spelling. 

As you can see my computer partner is Harley. As I work on my TPT products or browse Pinterest he finds a spot under the table. Too bad I can't teach him to edit my work.

I've always, always worn contacts, but when I'm at home I've finally resorted to wearing a pair of glasses when needed. I have not ventured into wearing them when I'm at work though. Some people look great in glasses, but I'm still not used to them on myself.

Share your Five for Friday over at Doodle Bugs Linky.

Find more great ideas on my Pinterest page or TPT store

Harley on the Mend

A few weeks ago I shared that my dog was sporting a hurt paw. Well after a vet visit, it ended being an infected dew claw. Harley is now a week and a half post surgery to clear out the infection. He had both dew claws removed, plus while he was under I chose to get a couple of skin warts removed. The vet tech called during the surgery to ask if I wanted to also have his teeth cleaned so he now has sparkly clean chompers too. His first couple of days post surgery were rough. I ended up sleeping on the floor next to him the first night. Poor guy!

My parents have been watching him during his recovery while I'm at work and he's been a good doggy patient. So much so, that when they went for a brief shopping trip the other day they left him without the cone on. They came back to cotton all over the floor as Harley chewed on the top part of one of his bandages. Harley got scolded and on went the Cone of Shame.

Harley is not a happy camper!

He is back to not wearing the cone, but only when he isn't being supervised.

Find more great ideas on my Pinterest page or TPT store

Five for Friday ....

I'm joining in again this week for some shared randomness.

My last day before my week long Thanksgiving break was Friday!

My class ended our day doing some fun readers theatre scripts and a turkey apple craft.

I've been getting back into my walking routine after a long time of going without exercise.

Harley sure does like his walks. Now he is resting in one of his favorite lounge spots.

I'm busy prepping my winter holiday gifts for my students. I get decks of cards at the dollar store and have them "Deck out the Holidays" with math games. I've had parents love it as it reinforces critical math skills in a fun game format. If you'd like to try this holiday gift this year for your class you can get it in my TPT store.

I went to the store today to pick up the baking ingredients for the chocolate trifle layer cake my family EXPECTS me to bring to Thanksgiving dinners every year. It is unbelievably yummy and is always such a hit, especially for any newcomers who taste it for the first time.

I'm hoping to read at least one good book over my Thanksgiving break.

The last book I read was The Husband's Secret which I did enjoy.

I ran across the site What Should I Read Next? which I'm planning to explore for my next read.

Find more great ideas on my Pinterest page or TPT store

Doggy Tales Writing Pack

Oh, I wish dogs could talk. My Harley came down with a swollen, infected paw this week and I have no idea what he did. It's a fun battle to try and get his paw to soak in a tub of warm water. I have his bag of treats close by to reward him after I manage to soak it for a few minutes at a time.

I hope he's on the mend soon!

If you are looking for cute doggy themed writing, including a prompt on "If My Dog Could Talk", check out this pack in my TPT store.

Find more great ideas on my Pinterest page or TPT store

Five for Friday

My 5 random sharings this Friday are:

  My task today is to assemble this adjustable stool to use in my classroom this year.

Wish me luck.

 This morning my dog got scolded by this squirrel sitting on the telephone wire.

Harley had no clue he was being put into place by a little ol squirrel.

 So, I mixed up a lavendar home spray using essential oils the other day.

I used it a handful of times and now just take a look at the spray bottle on the right hand side of the picture. It is all collapsed in. The bottle cannot even stand upright now like the empty one on the left.

I assume I bought cheapo bottles for this to happen.

 It's been heating up here so the past couple of days I drive myself (with Harley of course)

to Chick Fil  A for a yummy vanilla ice cream cone.  Harley usually gets offered a biscuit treat by the employees if he is spotted sticking his head out the window like a pretty boy. He pouts if he happens to be ignored though.

  I'm trying to put to the back of my mind that I go back to work next Wednesday.  BOO!

I have been window shopping and wishlisting some things I need on TPT, but mainly I'm practicing School AVOIDANCE right now.  If you want to window shop, I did get some of my popular items bundled into sets this summer.  My Swat It Grammar Bundle and my To the Point Grammar Pack may be worth your looking at.

Join the fun in Doodlebug's Linky

Find more great ideas on my Pinterest page or TPT store