Long Days

Now that we have entered into a new school year, I know I will not post almost everyday. For at least the first few weeks, I will do good if I post once or twice a week. There is so much going on and I do not see the light at the end of the tunnel yet. I say yet, because there is one. It has to be!

Over the years, I have prayed and ask "Lord, deliver me from procrastination and disorganization and add some time management." Well, He is making that happen. The only way I am going to succeed this year is to have those things put in check.

With that said, I am off for a good Saturday morning break. Then I have to drop off Baby Bandit to his meetings. I have to go to school for a few hours to make sure I am prepared for the students' first day of school. I already need a vacation!

She Shut It Down!

I just tried to read one of my daily blogs. I received the following messsage,  This blog is open to invited readers only. I was confused. I tried to access it a few more times. I was just about to send her a message but decided to check her tweets for today. There it was. She deactivated her blog account. I was hurt. I wanted to cry.

I sent her a message on Twitter. She decided to quit blogging to the masses because of a few comments were made that were out of line. She is very open and shares what is going on in her life. Her honesty and realness is what drew me. She had postings dealing with everything, including raising her son, dating, sorority events, hair, finances, and her spiritual walk. I learned so much from her and I hope I have deposited into her life as well. Our backgrounds have quite a few similarities; therefore, I can definitely relate to her in multiple ways.

My friend is the reason why I started the blog. I wanted to be able to give to others what she has given to me. She may come back to the blog world, but it will not be personal at all. It will focus on the girly things: hair and fashion.

Her decision to end her blog makes me wonder about this blog. I like writing it, but everyday I wonder if the wrong person is going to read it and take if for something it is not. One piece of advice I was given is to write like nobody is reading it but me. However, that is very hard to do. With today's developments, it makes it that much harder.

I hope my friend has a change of heart. I am really going to miss her blog. However, I truly understand. I can still follow her on twitter and send her emails. I will still be able to connect and bond.

Bucket List

Do you remember the movie Bucket List from 2007 with Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson? Did you ever watch it?

               

I never watched it from start to finish, but I have watched bits and pieces of it. For those of you who never seen or heard of it, the movie is based on two men completely different from each other in so many ways. They are cancer patients reluctantly sharing a hospital room. Freeman's character creates a bucket list but throws it away. Later, Nicholson's character finds it and insist THEY complete it together. He even adds a few to the list. Its a great feel good movie. Put it in your movie rotation.

Now why am I talking about this movie? Lately, I have heard several people talk about their bucket list. Over the last couple of years, many of my friends have taken up skydiving! Yes these people are jumping out of the sky!

                                 

Everyone have stated it is an exhilarating experience. I am not sure if I am going to pick that one up. However, based on their stories, it is a possibility!

When I think of bucket lists, I think of great experiences such as skydiving, bungy jumping, climbing Mt Everest. But the more I think about it, my bucket list is anything I wanted to accomplish before I "kicked the bucket". It does not have to mean anything to anyone else....JUST ME. A bucket list is a fancy name for listing my goals. And guess what? I have been striking things off of that list from the day I set my first goal as a little girl!

Some things off of my bucket list:

• Going to college
• Earning my degree
• Buying my first car
• Buying my first home
• Becoming a teacher (1st childhood dream/goal/desire I can remember)
• Going on a cruise
• Becoming a dancer (childhood accomplishment)
• Shooting a gun
• Going to Barbados (childhood dream)
• Create my own artwork 
• Having multiple careers (insurance, real estate, and teaching)

Some things still on my bucket list:

• Going to Vegas
• Seeing a Broadway show
• Earning a Master's degree (will accomplish this December)
• Getting married
• Traveling abroad (Australia and Africa)
• Visiting each state
• Visiting each country in the Western Hemisphere
•  Teaching at a college
• Learn to speak Spanish fluently
• Being financially free (meaning no debt including a mortgage)
• Salsa dancing
• Learning how to wear make-up (Serenity can you help a sista out!)
• Become a financial coach

Possible bucket list additions:

• Skydiving
• Scuba diving
• Surfing
• Take and complete a kick boxing class
• Take marital arts classes
• Become a fitness trainer

What is on your bucket list? Do you even have one? Take time to create one and then start making an effort to create the memories by doing the things on your list. 

Do you need some getting started? Google it or here are a few to give you some ideas. 

• 50 ideas
• Over 500 ideas

I am looking forward to reading about your lists. I might even add it to my list.

Count Your Small Blessings

Many people look at big things to make them happy: big party, a new car, a new home, a new marriage, etc. It is important to our overall well-being to take in the little things. The things many people take for granted or no longer even notice. Simple things being able to hear the birds chirping
                                            


or smelling the roses

         
                                                

Today, I reflected on a few things this weekend that made me smile.

1. Spending some quality time with my boys. Baby Bandit and I are watching some game shows right now. We have some of the same tv habits. We watched most of our crime shows over the weekend already. We will probably catch a movie on Netflix later today. It is too hot to run around. We are staying in and enjoying floats, ice cones, and any other cool treats we can find.
        

2.  Earlier today, he took the initiative to send off for more information on a few colleges that sent him emails this week. This might not seem much to do to many. However, I have been working on him about procrastination and planning ahead. For him to take the initiative is huge. On the same note, he started a conversation about using this week to get back on the school time routine. School starts a week from tomorrow. Therefore, no sleeping in late or sleeping the entire afternoon away. I made some suggestions to get him through the times his body will want to sleep. Baby steps! We are getting there.
    

3. Rae Rae and I spent Friday night just hanging out and catching up. We had us some homemade polish boys, watched tv, and talk. I was able to listen to what was really on her heart. We have the type of relationships where we do not have to wear masks. We are able to truly be ourselves. I learned from another one of our friends, Original Oldgirl LadyLee,  to just listen and ask questions to help the other person to reach their own answers. We are planning a girls weekend soon!

Its the small things that count. When you can appreciate the little things, God will bless you with bigger things.

I challenge you today to count your small blessings or those little things that put a smile on your face. 

Summer is Over!

Its official. My summer is over. Today is the second day back to work. Two weeks of training, then the children return.

The students received their schedules in the mail. I even checked my schedule. I saw a few surprises.

After a few kids called Baby Bandit for the lowdown on teachers, I decided to check my schedule. I have some huge classes! Like over 30 children and I was switched to a new classroom. 

                                      

Those are big numbers. I know they will shake out over the first few weeks of school. Having class sizes under 25 is great. Having around 20 is ideal for me. 

The other surprise is I am in a new classroom. Some would think that is no big deal. In the grand schemes of things, it is not. Its just a change I prefer not to have to make. I love my class location from last year. I was on a diverse hall. There's the deaf and hearing impaired class, an English class, business classes, video class, engineering classes,  food and nutrition class, and the early childhood room. I interacted with these teachers all the time. Its the small things that made this location perfect for me. I was able to dash to the bathroom in the early childhood room that was next door. I talked basketball with a coach during class changes. The custodians spoiled me with making sure I eat in the morning and have my hot chocolate. There is a copier in between the business classes. So I am able to make quick copies or send my students to make quick copies. The biggest adjustment is having lunch in the middle of a class period. Now I will loose all of it with my room change. 

                                        

On the flip side, I am on the same hall as the rest of the math teachers. So, I will be able to talk shop in between bells. We can easily check to see if a common lesson is working in other classes and periods. I am able to have lunch with my department and my favorite lunch partner. In addition, I am right across from our graduation coach. So I am able to send students there to complete tests or assignments or take a mental break if needed. 

Before the year start, I need to analyze my data from last year and set some personal goals. Also, I need to gather my stuff I plan to take back into the new classroom. Overall, I am excited to see what new things I will embark with my new babies. I plan to continue to check on my old babies too. 

Now it is time for me to pull out my sale papers to go school shopping! 

Random Thoughts

Its the weeeeekend Baby!! Nothing too much but everything is going on. Just some of my random thoughts

• This is my last weekend before I return to work. I am going back a week before I initially thought. Because I started in the middle of the school year, I did not attend the new (to the county) teacher training. So, summer is officially over :(

• I have not finished reading any books this summer. I thought I would read at least 5. I really need to work on that. I have started 4 different books. I just need to step away from FB, Twitter, and Tivo. 

• Finally, I started working out yesterday. It was not too bad. I am just a little sore. But if I was not, then what did I accomplished?

• This is the last basketball tourney this weekend before the boys are off to Orlando. Then I get my weekends back! YAY!!!

• I completed some items on my to-do list yesterday. I need to knock out the rest today.

• Couponing! I need to cut and organize my coupons and start strategizing for back to school supplies. Not only do I need to restock Baby Bandit's school supply stash, I need to plan for the approximately 130 students. So that is extra pencils, paper, protractors, and calculators. 

• I want to determine what books I want to have in my classroom library. I like to keep a few books (not math related) the kids can pick up and thumb through. They love my motivational minute book. I need to find a few more of them.

• I have gained too much weight this summer. Two months later, I can't fit comfortably in my school/work clothes. I refuse to buy any either!

• I need to finish paying off this month's bills and start my ZBB - zero base budget for August. 

• I plan to tackle the garage in the next week. Most of the stuff thrown in there are things going back into my classroom. 
• I just received information for Sporty Girl Fitness Reality TV Casting Call. Some people may get offended but I see it as love. The person who sent it knows I need motivation to get this weight off. I hope I did not sign up too late. 

Now it is time for me to handle my business. What's on your mind?

New Year Resolutions - Bandit's Style

Most people make resolutions in January. I am not a fan of resolutions. I make a list and a plan. Write it down and make it happen. I know too many people who make a resolution on Jan 1st and could not tell you what it was by Jan 31st. Since my birthday is in June, I like using Jan and June as my reflection/review time. Similar to a job. It is a gauge as to where I am.

The last few years have been many changes but at the same time so many things have been the same. I know over the next few weeks, I am going to continue to reflect on what changes I want to make, accomplishments I want to achieve and what things I want to keep the same.

1. Weight loss/exercising - At the top of my list is getting my weight down. My doctor wants me to lose 35 lbs. I want to lose about 50 lbs. Unfortunately, my want is not strong enough for me to get started. I do not have any excuses.  Need to be like Nike and JUST DO IT!!

2. Reading - Since starting school, I stop reading for leisure and personal growth. I desperately need to pick up a book. I use to be in a large book club but I quit once school started. I would like to join a new one.

3. Reducing expenses - Since becoming a school teacher, my income has decrease significantly. I have to reduce my regular expenses. I don't know when was the last time I created a monthly budget. It should be easier since I only get paid once a month. There is no question what pay check it is coming out of because I only have one.

In addition, I need to find a part-time. I want to use the P/T to rebuild my emergency fund, pay down debt and for my summer trip next year and start paying on the student loans I accrued with the last degree.

4. Organization - I need to get organized. When my house, car, room is in disarray, it is a direct correlation to my life being out of sync. In fact, I can not sleep in my room if it is out of order. Its like the mess interferes with my rest. I will sleep in another room before sleeping in a cluttered room.

I think this is enough for me to work on for the rest of the year. Hopefully, I will see much progress I make by Dec 31st.