Pinterest: It's The Little Things

Sometimes on Pinterest I get caught up on the amazing DIY projects, yummy looking desserts and drool worthy homes. I think we all do. But I have seen some pins on there that make me hit my head and think "Why didn't I think of that?" This post is about those little things. Sometimes I didn't even pin them, but they stuck in my head. Each of these little "projects" (if you can even call them that) cost me nothing, and are awesome.

1. Dish rack folder holder

I originally posted about this in November. You might have seen it before because it is at the bottom of my most popular post ever. (Wedding Invitation Christmas Ornament) Basically I used an old dish rack and made a folder for each day of the week to hold the upcoming lesson plan and lesson materials. I was really good at using this before Christmas break. Not so much since we have been back, but the new semester starts next week, and I am really trying hard to improve my classroom organization.

2. Bread bag tags

This was another one I did in my classroom. Using the plastic tags from bread bags, I labeled  each of my cords in my surge protector. That way when I need to plug something else in, I can easily figure out what I should unplug.

Here is a closer look. I just used a fine point sharpie to write on the tags.

3. A Tic Tac box to store bobby pins

Genius! Apparently I didn't pin the original, and I can't find it now but all I did was finish up the Tic Tacs I had left in the box, wash it out and remove the label. It is the perfect size for bobby pins! I usually end up taking my hair out on my drive home during last period, and this is such a better way to store those pins. I was able to clean out the random pins out of my purse and car and store them in here.

4. Chives in a water bottle:

Source

I haven't done this yet, but basically, chop up the green onions/chives and store them in the freezer in a plastic water bottle so they don't go bad. I hate throwing away produce, and green onions/chives is one of those things that I seem to always toss because we never use them all. We are having a baked potato night later this week, and this time I will be freezing all my unused chives for next time!

Have you done any little things from Pinterest- please share!



A tour of the flood

We got an extra three day weekend- Friday school was cancelled due to flooding in our area. We have had a crazy amount of rain lately, on top of our snow melt and the river, creeks and tributaries just could not handle it. In the small town I live in, several roads were closed and the river was all the way past the parking lot in the down town amphitheater. Yesterday the emergency warnings kept coming on TV to alert us to high water and direct us to sandbagging stations in town.

Downtown Independence
This should be a stage, playground, parking lot THEN the river.

Do you see the playground? This is also where we lay around and hang out to watch the 4th of July fireworks and enjoy the concerts in the park during the summer.

Gross. Please don't go swimming in this. Our new city hall had a couple feet of poo in their basement because the sewer system just couldn't handle the water.

Thankfully, not our house. BUT people were sandbagging all over town.

I've hid Easter eggs in this park before. There is NOT a lake or pond in it.

This was at the beginning of all of this. This is the park that we take Gus to play fetch in. Again, there isn't a lake or pond anywhere near it! 

In town (Salem) where I work, things were not looking better. Here are a couple of pictures from friends, facebook etc.



Source
All the kids were okay on this bus. They have a story to tell forever!

Source
These people had to be rescued out of a flooded park on a raft.

Thankfully, the rivers have crested and right now it is only a light rain. Our house has been pretty dry, and we are both so thankful that we didn't buy one of the homes we were looking at on the creek.

High Five For Friday!

I stumbled on this fun little link up that makes you stop and think about the little things that made your week great! I haven't done a "Top 5 Friday" in a while, so here we go!

1. unexpected snow day!

Monday was MLK Jr. Day and we had a nice dusting of snow. Because of the holiday we already had the day off, but it was fun to spend it with my 2 favorite guys. (the dog and the Mister) As a bonus, the next morning we got a two hour delay! A little extra sleep AND a little extra (quiet!) work time? I'll take it!

2. my rain boots

Source

The snow turned to slush, then it rained 5+ inches in 24 hours and now we have massive flooding. On the upside, my socks and feet are dry.

3. fabric

I have a bunch of fabric prepped and ready to go for a project I need to get done. I just LOVE picking out fabric!

4. zumba!

Source

 I just feel so much better when I am in a regular exercise routine. Its so easy to fall out of, but I have been back in the swing of things for a couple months now and I am so happy!

5. Crockpot Dinner

I made PW's pulled pork in the Crock this week. It was so awesome to know that when I got home form work dinner was waiting for me. As a bonus, the house smelled fantastic when I got home!

What little things made your week? 

Mid-week Confessions- take 3

Wasn't there an R. Kelly song and in the chorus he sings "these are my confessions?" Maybe it was Usher. Every time I go to start writing (or reading!) these posts, that song pops into my head.

Boom. Thank you Youtube.

-I really enjoy going to Zumba. Like a lot. Yesterday though my Zumba class was ruined for me. You see, there is this older woman that goes to my gym and she has taken a variety of group fitness classes. This woman yells out these "whoop whoop" noises for the entire hour we are in class. She does this in every class. I'm not sure if it bothers any one else, but it really throws me out of my zone. She showed up to my Zumba class and immediately started with the "whoop whoops." I was almost to the point that I wanted to walk out of class early. I know I just need to suck it up, because its not like I can say anything to her. I do hope that when I am her age I will still get down in a Zumba class.

- I want to cut my hair. I like it at chin length. BUT I also really like using hot rollers and making my hair curly. These are the big problems in life friends.

-Actually, I really like getting compliments from my students on my curled hair.

-Yesterday we had a two hour delay due to "inclimate weather." Only about half my classes showed up all day. I scrapped my lesson plan and showed a video on teen obesity. And then gave out a crossword puzzle. Teacher of the Year Award here I come.

-My case of baby fever has gotten a bit bigger. I blame it on this picture.

This is me, the Mister, and the Mister's best friend's 3 year old daughter.

-I am getting slightly obsessed with buying fabric. I would be buying a lot more, except the ladies who do the fabric cutting always ask what you are making. Would it be weird to say, I just want to buy all these pretty fabrics to look at and organize in my craft room?

-I want to learn to quilt. Mostly so that I can make my future baby's bedding. And so I can buy more fabric.

-I am looking for new books to read. Anytime I ask for suggestions I hear "Hunger Games." The more I get told to read it, the less I want to. I know I am just being stubborn, I did the same thing with Harry Potter. (FYI- I did eventually read them all.)

-I bought one of those single cup coffee makers with my Christmas money. I love it. Except I want to drink 3 or 4 cups of coffee a morning day. 

Did you link up this week?