Our new "addition"...

Well, we definitely didn't have a baby, but she has become Daniel's baby. This is our new "puppy", Tipin! She's 18 months old and been with us for 2 weeks now. Again, I apologize for just now updating about her. She fits our family and life-style perfectly! We got her from a girl I went to school with at Susan Moore named Katy. She was a couple years older than me, but our parents have kept in touch over the years. Tipin is an AKC registered Golden Retriever and 'completely trained', aka well behaved. She came from a wonderful home and Katy had her hands full with Tipin's mom, Ally, because she travels with her job and two dogs was too much. It was really a once in a lifetime opportunity that we just couldn't pass up. We definitely weren't looking for a dog; it just sort of happened! But.. I'm very glad it did!

On the way home when we first picked her up!

After Daniel and Tipin were playing one night!

We don't usually let her on the furniture or pillows, but last night there was a pillow on the ground. She was so tired she just laid down and her head just happened to land on it. It was perfect! I told her to stay and ran to get my camera!! Adorable. I didn't even make her get up after I took her picture, but I did go to bed with her soon after!

My five favorite personal websites...

I've always been crafty I'd say. However, I've recently gotten addicted to several craft blogs. I love the ideas and inspiration these websites offer! Even if your not crafty, look around and see what catches your eye:

1. Todays Creative Blog - She features a new, creative blog each day! The site has lots of great links.
2. Tip Junkie - This blog has a great tip or idea daily! Who doesn't love a creative tip to make life simpler? Her "tags" are especially helpful!
3. The Stickler Blog - I found this blog off Teale's site. They have been renovating a house and update the blog from time to time about their renovations. This is what orginally got me hooked on their site. Also, she has a simple tutorial to make hairbows! She also makes some adorable clothes for her girls.
4. Serendipity - Mother of 6 and has awesome ideas to do with kids of all ages! Also, check out her April Fool's Post! Priceless!
5. Steece's Pieces - Not necessarily a craft blog, but I love to see what's going on in their life. And she's always sooo positive!! She's definitely an inspiration to me.

On a side note:
We're going to celebrate my birthday (2 months late Friday) at the Melting Pot. So, I'll post pictures next week from the Melting Pot! Also, be looking for a post about our new puppy soon; we've had her for 2 weeks now. I should have already posted about her, but SAT testing got the best of me.

"Junk" Jackpot!

After school today, I stopped by my local favorite thrift store!!! I hit the jackpot. I'm currently working on fixin' up my craft room. The walls are "ladybug" red, and the accents are going to be baby blue. I love the contrast between the two colors!! I got five aqua blue/baby blue Ball mason jars ($2.50 each), two wooden white candlesticks ($1 each), old spools some with blue thread on them ($3 for a big sack full!), jar of buttons ($2 for a baby food jar full), and a suprise for my Mom for Mother's Day. (She reads my blog, so I can't say what it is yet. I'm going to be crafty with it; I'll post a picture of the finished product!) Perhaps I'm quirky, but I love old stuff. Especially when I have a purpose for it!!

Wordless Wednesday

Photographer: Eric Gevaert
www.cardsunlimited.com

Twister Tuesday...

Here's a mind twister for you! Good luck...

Try to guess the word letter by letter.
My first is in water but not in tears
My second in listen but not in hears
My third in three but not in she
My fourth in clear but not in tea
My last in hang but not in grand
My whole assembles in a band.

Solution (scroll to the bottom of the page)

One of those weeks...

• Monday: Testing started. We discovered Tipin wasn't fond of being left alone in a cage. Mom's car decided to quit working all together, and we got stranded on the side of the road for an hour waiting on a tow truck.
• Tuesday: Still testing, and I took Mom to Centerpoint to get a rental car. They only had a smaller car. So, we waited to see if something bigger came it. Nothing bigger ever did come in. I found out at 10:40 I had a PEPE observation at 11:00.
  
• Wednesday: Testing. Also, I had an incident at school with a student threatening me.
• Thursday: I felt as if I was going to puke all day. Of course, we were testing that day too.
• Friday: I ran out of gas on the side of the road, my phone died while waiting on Mom to bring me gas, AND I've currently locked my keys and cell phone in my car. So, I'm stuck at home with bad weather and NO PHONE TO SEE WHEN DANIEL WILL BE HOME. SIGH. Oh, and we tested today.
  
• By the way, we are still testing next Monday and Tuesday too.
• AND... I haven't had a prep period in over a week! But I get one next Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday! I also finished my second round of the PEPE cycle (for all you educators you know what that means!!)
• OH, and I have one of the cutes puppies in the world!!
  

Favorite Sites

Sorry for my absence lately. I've had a little bit of a stomach bug and we got a new puppy this weekend. So, I've been a busy bee!! I'll post pictures soon. I'm staying in Oneonta until Thursday afternoon so look for new pics on Thursday or Friday of the new puppy!


In the meantime, I've been making a collection of my favorite websites. Here are my top five favorite commercial websites in random order:

1. Martha Stewart- The lady may not pay her taxes, but she sure is creative. (Or at least her design team is!) You can always get cute craft ideas or yummy recipes off her website for any season!
2. Tip Junkie Blog - This site is a commercial based site, but is ran by a lady who is crazy about creatie ideas!! She has cool free give aways too!
3. HGTV's Rate My Space - People post their home, and you can rate and leave comments on their design ideas! Very interesting and always something new!
4. ALEX - Alabama Learning Exchange This site is ran by the Alabama Board of Education and has awesome lesson ideas for any age level! I have some printed off to do with my kids at home someday!! You can search any age for any activity!!
5. Hobby Lobby - I love seeing what they have on sale each week!! I'll post my latest "great deals" soon. They have a 40% off any regular priced item coupon this week!!

Check out one or more of my favorite sites and tell me what you think!! Also, what's your favorite commercial website?

I'll do a post sometime soon about my favorite person websites or blogs to lurk!