ASO: It's Magical!

It has been a long few weeks of graduate school, teaching, new job responsibilities, and scores of other things going on in my life lately. I took the GRE today and I think my nerves (on top of my hectic schedule got the best of me). That being said I did fairly well but I think I could have done better with more preparation so I might just take it again. At $160 a test I might not. lol. Do you know how many copic markers I could buy with $160 dollars?? Ha!!

Speaking of Copic Markers I got a super great deal on them the other day on ebay. And when I say super great I'm not exaggerating. 80 marker lot for $220. 220/80=$2.75 per marker. You can't beat that right?? And to add the cherry on the top I lost lot of 50 markers the day before in a bidding war and they sold for $202. Score on that one. As my new friend Mel says, "That's the way to lose." I must agree.

On a more crafty note, my dear friend Marion Smith started a great club of women who love to trade, swap, and scrap. If you haven't already heard about our facebook group you should definitely join. Not only to you get to swap crafty stuff every month but you get awesome kits like the February kit that I used to make this card.

Now let me just say that I'm not a victorian-vintagy-lace kinda girl, but the finding in this kit, the papers, and the awesomeness that is Marion Smith really got my creative juices going when I got my kit in the mail today. So here it is.



 

When I first got the kit I was in awe of all the cuteness and this card just simply came together. I'm loving the Rolled Rose Dienamics from MFTStamps. I was able to get them as soon as they were released, but I had to wait almost 6 weeks before I could get the original Rolled Rose Dienamics because it sold out so quickly. But I stalked it finally got it.

I didn't put a sentiment on this card. Let's just say I did that on purpose. He. He. But seriously as a scrap newbie I still have lots of problems with sentiment placement. Just where would you put a sentiment on this card??? And the die cut already had the word magical on it so I didn't to put anything else on the card with words that might clash with that. I like it. No sentiment needed.

 



Supplies:

Prima: Patterned Paper, Lace, Leaves PapertreyInk: Cardstock MyFavoriteThings: Mini Rolled Rose Dienamics Misc: Pearl straight pins

Scrap Sweet,

Angee Lee

CHA 2011, Personal Updates, Giveaway alert

Hi all,

It's been a while and I've been super busy. Have you been keeping up with Winter CHA 2011? If you haven't you are surely missingout on all the fun. I've been loving the sneak peaks and debuts. What I'm loving at the moment:

Lily Bee Design

Tim Holtz

And so much more. Check out his blog for more.

Hambly Screen Prints

And there is so much more that I could link up here. Isn't this some great stuff?? Keep up with all things Winter CHA 2011 on Facebook, Twitter, and the Blogosphere. I will be there next year, hopefully.

On the update front: I just started my second class for graduate school on January 15th, and in addition I am studying to take my GRE at the end of this month as well. (I have to take my GRE before the end of my current class) In addition to all that I have been working on things for the blog, a wedding scrapbook for friend, a baby book for another friend, and learning new scrapbook techniques. I'm thinking of taking a few classes online this year too in photography. My friends have been requesting me as a photographer recently since they all think I'm creative: Where do they get these ideas?? lol.

Giveaway Alert: My blogger friend of mine Naomi Chokr's husband, Amir, has just launched his blog and he's having a huge giveaway. Pearl earrings anyone?? Click the picture below to enter.

That's all for now.

Scrap Sweet.

Angee

Are you a Coffee Snob??

I am not a coffee snob. I'm not even a huge coffee drinker. I never really was. I have developed an affinity to drinking coffee on occasion when I'm completely overwhelmed, overscheduled, and have looming deadlines (which has been the case more often recently). That being said I can say that I have drank more coffee in the last year than I did in all my previous years drinking coffee. I remember my mom drinking coffee every morning before work. The little Folgers crystals that came in a jar. One tablespoon in a cup of hot water. A little cream, lots of sugar. That's how she likes it. I was never a fan of the coffee crystals. I drank it every now and then because that's was was available at home but my first trip to Starbucks changed all that. Would Starbucks be considered gormet coffee?? Maybe, or maybe not. But it was my first taste at good coffee, and I haven't went back to those crystals yet.

Coffee really became popular for me in college. Pulling those all nighters studying (ok not really studying, he he) and having to be up early for those 7 AM classes, coffee became a regular way of life for me. After getting my first real job as a secretary for a CPA firm, coffee was the culture at work.  Now I drink coffee at least a 3 days per week and sometimes on the weekends. I just like it. And the weird part is that I actually have a cafeine allergy so instead of the energy boost, it totally relaxes me. Weird right??

When my doctor told me about my cafeine allergy, I instantly started researching coffee and it's effects. That led me to research different types of coffee's and tea's, and that in turn led me to a few coffee specific purchases.

Number # 1:

Today as I popped into my local starbucks, Double Grande Vanilla Latte was the drink of choice, I happened upon a French press. I've been looking into getting one of these at work for quite some time because I wouldn't have to have a full fledge coffee maker in my classroom.  These things can get pretty pricey but Starbucks had one for $16.95 and I thought that was a deal. I also got an accessories pack that included a measure, fill (looks just like a beaker from science class, a stir (which is just a wooden spoon, a steep (or a timer.....Gotta love the names), and a clean (which is just a spatula). Was this kit absolutely necessary?? Nope. Is it cute? Yep. And it was on clearance. I'm still a sucker for the clearance rack.

Number # 2

 

 

My starbucks orders have gotten very elaborate. I started off with the Grande Caramel Macchiato. Then it went to a Non-Fat Double Grande Caramel Macchiato, No Whip. Now my favorite is a Triple Grande Fat-Free Soy Vanilla Latte, No foam. Ok Ok, that may be a bit of an exaggeration but it's always weird to have to explain my order to my bff when she's picking up starbucks for us on the weekend. Can you please get me a Triple Grande Soy Vanilla latte no whip. The first time I said this she totally was silent on the phone and I could tell she was trying to figure out what the HELL i was talking about. lol.

Number # 3

So as much as I love starbucks, I sometimes feel that their coffee has a burnt taste. Now I'm not a professional coffee taster by any means but sometimes I feel that my coffee is burnt or the after taste is bitter. Can you burn coffee?? I guess the beans could burn?? And of course you can find tons of blog posts, websites, and articles online about how starbucks over-roasts their coffee beans. In any case,  I've been looking into other coffee brands and friends of mine have recommended tons of them to me,  but I live in the Houston suburbs and Starbucks is the coffee of choice out here. So off for more coffee induced internet research.  I definitely want to try Dunkin Donuts coffee because my friends up north really love it and we don't have Dunkin Donuts here in Houston.  ***I stand corrected. We have 3 Dunkin Donuts locations here in Houston. I will be making a trip there over the weekend.

I happened across a coffee company online via the NYTimes called Stumptown Coffee. They have a wide variety of coffee's from around the world but they are only located in NY, but thanks to the internet I can have the beans shipped right to my door. I'm told that a french press produces a much richer, better tasting coffee but only time will tell. I think I might do a comparison between Stumptown, Dunkin Donuts, and Starbucks coffee. I will let you guys know the outcome (from an ameatur's point of view of course).

So I know a few people who are coffee snobs but I certainly don't think that I am one of them. I'm just delving into the world of gormet coffee. And really, what in the world does gormet really mean? Is it gormet just because it's expensive? Hard to find? Not available to a mass market? Not known on a wide scale? Who knows. I just want coffee that taste good, if not great. And I'm on a mission to find it.

Are you a coffee snob?? Pop over to ineedcoffee.com  to see. It is a pretty funny read.

My Shopping Addiction-Relapse, Big Relapse.

Ok Ok. Yes I said it. "Hi, my name is Angee Lee and I have a shopping addiction."

Its true. Very VERY true. I SOMETIMES have a shopping addiction. It comes in waves though. Last year I went on a shopping fast and didn't purchase anything but gasoline and food (Bills paid of course) for 3 months. It was super fantastic. I thought that afterward I'd go on a binge but fasting from shopping actually carried over for the next 8 months. I didn't by clothes, even though I found some awesome coupons and deals. I didn't buy shoes, although I have a SERIOUS love of them. I didn't even my crafty stuff. Can you imagine I didn't stalk Papertrey Ink like I normally do every month on the 15th. I was so proud of myself.

Well christmas time came around and my will power went out the window. Actually it was after Christmas. Since I don't have children or a spouse I usually only buy for my parents and my brother. But I think I went a bit overboard for my birthday, which is on the 15th. I bought all crafty stuff for my birthday and mostly from Papertrey Ink. But the after Christmas/New Year sales were my doom this year. I've never been a holiday shopper. I don't normally like all the crowds around the holidays. But this year I got out with my friend, Ilene. I bought perfume (Michael Kors - Very Hollywood, Donna Karan - Cashmere Mist, Viktor & Rolf - Flowerbomb), sweaters, pajamas, boots (that I had to return later), and some costume jewerly.

But I got 2 big purchases that I love. Want to know what I got??

That is the Accucut GrandeMark. Yes, I did. I first saw this a few years ago when I was apart of a kit club with Marion Smith. (More on this later). I've seen quite a few people with them, Bona and Arlene.

When I first heard of the machine I immediately went to the website. Ummm. $595. I think not. I may have a shopping addiction, but I'm also a frugal shopper. I don't buy anything unless it's on sale, I have a coupon, or it's a super great buy.  I knew I could find one online for cheaper. It took me a long time  and I found a few on ebay but they weren't priced right for me and they didn't come up very often, but I finally found one last week on etsy and I ordered it. How much you may ask? $250. Yes, that is not a typo. Your girl is good like that. I can find a deal on almost anything. (And that included shipping...Ha!) I had to jump on that and I did. It should be delivered on monday.

Oh and it didn't stop there.

That's right. I've been eyeing this baby for quite some time. I'd made up my mind a long time ago that I wanted one but I didn't know when I'd get one. Well my bestie Ilene got one for Christmas and I knew I had to have one too. We  talk books, share books, and love books. It was just fitting that I needed one too. Plus when I heard this week about the new Kindle share feature I was sold. I ordered it this week and it should be here next week. I'm so excited about this.

So now my shopping is over. I'm fasting again from shopping for the next couple months, maybe. he he!!

In other news, my dear friend Marion invited me to be apart of her new kit club. How cool is that right! So the name of the club is Alpha Scrappa Omega. So cute, right?! Love that name. I will have more info on that soon.

Scrap Sweet,

Angee Lee

What I know about myself. So far.

I am kind.....because I love genuinely.

I am loyal.....even when I shouldn't be.

My favorite drink is sweet tea......southern style, iced.

I only drink coffee on a whim. Strong with lots of cream and a little sugar.

I can be very anti-social at times or the exact opposite on occasion.

I learned, this week, that I have a trust issues.

~I don't like being in crowds of people I don't know, or ones I do know for that matter.

~I don't like meeting new people, in the romantic sense. I like being in that comfortable place.

I avoid conflict like the plague.

I fear losing control of my thoughts, words, and my actions.

I've learned to work hard at controlling my feelings, and my tongue.

I often have anxiety about things that haven't happened yet but might.

I have an opinion about almost everything but will not tell you unless you specifically ask.

I have some of the best people in the world around me who love me just as I am right now, even when I don't sometimes.

I have been in some pretty dangerous situations and made it out alive. Thank God.

I am almost 30 and just starting to be happy with where my life is, where it's not, and where it's going.

Papercrafting, Photography, and my iMac changed my life. (Ok maybe not my iMac but I still love it.)

I am inspired the most by these crafty ladies. Sasha, Nichol, Karla & Maile

I started making cards after watching one of Kristina's videos on youtube.

I am still learning everyday about her, and most of the time, I like the person I see in the mirror looking back at me.

I don't know where the inspiration for this post came from but I'm pretty sure that this post had something to do with it. <3

Give credit where credit is due.......

Via q8alln1

I guess I never thought about it much. It still amazes me when I get a comment from one of my blog readers who are not family or one of my personal or online friends.

It's really amazing that my blog is read by people who have never met me  {all 1o of them......who I adore so much. :-)}

I teach it to my students almost daily being an English teacher.

And now today my twitter timeline is abuzz with it.

What am I talking about? Imitation, stealing, and plagiarism.

A few days ago a blogger friend and I face-booked about it when she saw that one of her readers had copied her post and posted it to her blog. Yes, she changed a few words. Yes, she made the references about her own life.  But No credit was given.  All in all she plagiarized someone's blog and passed it off as her own. She took an ORIGINAL concept and copied it. I'd call that plagiarism.

Today another of my favorite bloggers tweeted that someone had stolen their ORIGINAL website design, altered it slightly, and are now using it on their blog.

Another favorite blogger of mine retweeted a post by one of my favorite designers outlining what is appropriate and what is not appropriate in using her ORIGINAL artwork without express consent.

As a teacher I know that in my 8th grade class I have this conversation alot with my students. Taking someone else's idea and using it in any way WITHOUT giving credit to where the idea originated is NOT ok. I don't think I can make the point any better than Kelly did when she wrote this post. You should definitely go over there and take a look and make mental notes.

As a new blogger and a crafter lots of things that I post about have originated somewhere else or with someone else, but I make sure I give credit where credit is due. Most people love the idea that you agree and/or like their idea and are more than thrilled that their concept/idea is being spread via bloggers. But by all means, pay homage to that person for their inspiration. Not only does it let them know that you appreciate what they do, it's the fastest way to make friends online. I have met some great people through my blog, linking to other people's blogs, and retweeting links to other's blogs.

Don't insult someone who inspires you by stealing from them. No bueno.

WIFOYT: Beyonce + Tom Ford = Amazing!!!

Hi all.

Welcome to the second day of the new year. It's amazing that in 6 months I will have been teaching for 2 years. Seems like yesterday I was trying to be one and now I am. Check that off the to-do list. Now I have 17 more months of graduate school before I obtain my masters degree and I'm so excited about this year. I have some big plans for the blog and I'm introducing the first one today.

WIFOYT = What I found on Youtube.

This is going to be a little feature where I share my youtube finds, be it crafty, fashion, makeup, or more. I am an avid blog hopper (via my google reader) and I'm frequently looking at youtube videos. I probably watch youtube more than I watch TV. I plan to change that up a bit this year too by crafting more and watching them less. On to the youtube feature.

Happened across this video while browsing Tumblr which directed me to this blog who posted this video from Youtube. Love all the mulitple connections right?! Anywhoo it's of Tom Fords Spring/Summer fashion show and it's fabulous. I've loved Tom Ford for quite some time, from afar of course, and this was no exception. There were lots of famous ladies, models, and actresses walking the catwalk in some amazing gowns. Love Love Love.

And I must give myself kudos for a great start to the year because it is only day two and I have scrapped a layout already, compared to my 6 layouts that I did all last year. I've sort of transitioned into more of a scrapbooker than a card-maker. I still love card-making because there is great satisfaction in making something and giving it away. I love that feeling of being able to send apart of myself off to someone else and imagining their reaction. There isn't much better than that. I'll post the layout after I add journaling.

Sweet Scraping everyone & Happy 2011.

~A

.:{ New Year: New beginning(s) }:.

As the new year approaches, just a few hours away, I am more thankful now than I was on Thanksgiving. There have been so many ups and downs, more ups than downs, and I've done many firsts.

1. I took my first cruise.

Here's a pic of my one of my very good friends, Ilene and me, on the boat. She got married, and I got a great tan (She just turned really red, I mean REALLY red. :-)

2. I started my very own business.

It's still in the works right now but it will be launching online at the beginning of the year. So super excited about that.

3. I started grad school, again.

So the stories is that I attended 4 different colleges during undergrad because I couldn't find my groove in college. I finally graduated after taking about a year and a half off. Presently I've only attended 3 graduate schools but the third time was the charm because I am fully in the groove. Getting my "Goove Back" educationally only, pretty slow in personal area. Lol.

4. I have actually scrapbooked.

Here are a few of my fav layouts. I only have a couple anyway so all of them are my favs right now. he. he.

Journaling:

It took a long time for me to love her.

To even think she's worthy to be loved at all,

And all the times she's let her heart be broken,

Made me realize that I am HER.

Beautiful in my own eyes,

And it took me too DAMN long to get to this point.

And some days I'm not there; I don't believe it, I can't believe it.

BUt now at the age of 27 almost 28,

There are more days that I do believe it than there are days that I don't.

And I've finally come in to my own as a woman,

Believing that I can do what I want to do and not taking in everybody else's opinion about it

Miss you, Alaric Layout. I made this layout in memory of my very good friend Alaric who died a few years ago of a bacterial infection. I miss him so much. This is Alaric and me with our godson Peyton.

My very first commissioned layout for a wedding gift. I used the save-the-date card and the wedding invitation on the layout. Love you Linnell.

This is my very favorite layout. This is my little brother when he was 11 (he's now 18) and my 1st Godson Landon when he was 1 year old (he's now 7). I found this picture about a month ago and just had to scrapbook it.  I'd just recieved my PTI order with the banner builder dies and stamps. I ABSOLUTELY love this layout.

This year I resolve to scrapbook more, make more time to be alone with me (massages included, and to take better care of myself. That's is. The results of those 3 things should bring about all the results I desire for the year.

Hugs & Ciao for the last time in 2010...

Striving for Badassery in 2011.

Angee Lee

Happy ChristmaHanaKwanzika!!!!

Where ever you are, What ever you believe, Whatever you celebrate,

I celebrate you and the relationships I have made this year through the online crafting community. It has been a joy to be welcomed into a group of ladies (and gentlemen) who are so open, creative, and giving. I have never met so many kind generous people in my life.

May your Christmas be filled with love, good food, happiness, and joy. God bless you and your families.

Hugs & Ciao.

Angee Lee

A Happy Birthday Thank You!!

Hi all.

I have to say I had a great birthday yesterday. Being that my birthday is so close to Christmas I normally don't really celebrate my singular birthday. Since I was about 15 or 16 I've always had a sort of joint celebration during the christmas holidays and that included joint presents. <----No fun at all.

As I've gotten older this has become the norm and my actual birthday has become just a normal day. This year was different. My good good friend Ilene conspired with my co-workers and friends to offer a great celebration. I recieved the most delicious chocolate chocolate chip pound cake from Susan, and giftcards from one of my favorite places.......Starbucks. :-) We had wassail at work with gingerbread cookies (albeit it was for the entire faculty not just me...ha!), and I was serenaded each class period by my students including a viola solo from the music department. It was the best birthday that I've had in awhile. And the best part is that it all resumes on friday (since I had my final grad school assignment for the semester due last night). Oh, and I'm on Christmas vacation for the next two weeks.

With all that being said, I just want to say a big big thank you for making my birthday a very special one.

All my love.

Angee

We are Christmas

Hi all.

I've been working on homework all week. I have 3 more days of grad school before the year ends and i have just as much work in those 3 days. I'm sharing another card with you today. All patterned papers are from the My Mind's eye Holly Jolly Collection. There is little Hero Arts in there by way of friend definition stamp on the kraft circle, and stampin up ink in chocolate chip. And that's it.

Here's a quick christmas video from Spellman College's Glee Club. I'm now in love with this song. We Are Christmas. Love he arrangement. Enjoy.

I hope to get more crafting done over christmas break. Check ya later, peeps.

Hugs & ciao.

Santa Baby + Papertrey ink

Hi All,

It's been a busy week as always. I have 2 more weeks of work & school then I go on Christmas vacation for 2 weeks. Teaching has it's perks. I hope to get alot of crafting done in those two week including getting caught up on my December Daily album. I've gotten a little behind on that since I've been trying to get ahead with grading and grad school.

I did get a couple cards made a few weeks back when I was hit with the Christmas Spirit. Here is one of my favs.

I ordered the My Mind's Eye Holly Jolly Collection paper pack a few weeks back from FlowerstoFlourishes.com and it's sure come in handy. I'm loving the distressed dots paper. Super cute.

Oh and don't forget the PaperTrey Ink sneak peak is going on right now and I'm loving all the new sets that I've gotten a peak at. Head on over to Nichole's blog for the previews.

{The Deets}

Recollections Craft Card base with matching envelope from Michaels.

My Mind's Eye Patterned Paper - Holly Jolly Collection, Cardstock Letters and Border.

Papertrey Ink Fillable Frames #9 stamp set & die.

Stampin' Up! - Riding Hood Red Classic Ink

That's all for now.

Ciao.

Holiday Busy & Merry Christmas

Hi All,

If you know any teachers you know this is a super busy time of year. Students have loads going on and teacher do too. This week we are release testing (practice standardized testing), running a modified schedule tomorrow, kids will be out of class various days this week due to holiday concerts, tours, and loads of other things, grades are due by the end of the week for progress reports, and I'm sure there is something else that I'm forgetting right now. In addition to all that I have 2 more week of grad school before this semester is over and I still have to fit in the GRE test before I take my next class. So to say I'm busy is defintely an understatement. Thank goodness I've been in a Christmas mood for weeks because I've been making and stocking up on holiday cards like this one.

The Deets:

My Mind's  Eye Patterned Paper - Holly Jolly collection

Stampin' Up! Cardstock Cherry Cobbler, Mat Stack, and Paper Piercer

Papertrey Ink Stamp- Friendship Jar Holiday Fillers

Simple and easy card. I used Stampin' Up Textured cardstock. I love how rich this color is. Now I'm off to check my schedule to make sure I haven't forgotten anything. I'm sure I have.

Oh and aren't you loving the 12 Tags of Christmas from Tim Holtz? OMGosh, every year I look forward to two things: Kristina Werner's Holiday Card series and Tim Holtz 12 tags. I just love this time of year.

That's all for now.

Ciao.

After Thanksgiving loves.

Hi all,

I had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday this year and I hope you had the same. We ate some great food prepared by my mom, my dad even came over and spent the holiday with us. Thank God everyone survived the day. lol. It was a great holiday with family and friends and I had a great time playing bingo with Collin, Chantel, and Nate.

My cousin Collin and Me playing with photobooth.

I also welcomed my first god-daughter, Leah Camille Gaston, on November 24th. She weighed 6 lbs 35 oz. She is the most precious little thing I've seen in a long time. I've been spending lots of time with this one in the last few days. I have to freshen up my baby skills. My youngest god-son is 6 now so it's been awhile.

Leah Camille in the hospital

The thing I love about this time of year is the point right after Thanksgiving until right before Christmas. What I love about after thanksgiving is the holiday music and christmas lights. This is my favorite time of year. Not just because my birthday is in two weeks......but because everyone tends to be in a better mood, people are nicer, and more caring, and the world seems to become a better place to be. At least to me. Oh and also because I get two more weeks off work for Christmas..........Teaching has a few perks.

I will be post Christmas cards starting on Monday so get ready for that. And expect to see Miss Leah's face around here as well.

Hugs & Ciao.

Happy Thanksgiving

Hi there, and Happy Thankgiving.

Today I'm relaxing at home cooking pecan pies, my holiday celebration food contribution, lol. Also my dad and I are in the craft room making christmas cards. Want to see what we've done???



What do you think? We're pretty creative, if I do say so myself.  Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. Hope you all enjoy your day with friends and family. I'm off to enjoy some great food courtesy of my mom. Love her.

Hugs & Ciao.

New Layout: My Boys + Glee!

HI all.

This marks my first blog post since going on Thanksgiving break. Oh the benefits of being a teacher. But here it goes. My little brother Taylor came into my office the other day with these pics of him and my first god-son Landon. These pics are at least 5 years old but they reminded me of when my babies were little and so so cute. They are still cute, btw. But I just loved these pics and they screamed scrapbook me. Now I'm not a huge scrapbooker. This is only my 4th layout that I've ever attempted but I say it's my 3rd since my first one was so horrible (Let's just not mention it at all) but I've gotten better every time I've attempted a layout and I absolutely love this one. Plus I got to use some of my PapertreyInk goodies on it, namely the banner dies.



Sorry for the poor picture quality. I took this with my iphone. I'll post a better pic later this week.

Supplies:

Papertrey Ink - Stampers Select White cardstock, Banner Builder Collection Dies, buttons, large scallop border die.  Stampin' Up! - Pear Pizzazz, Not Quite Navy, Peach Parfait, and Real Red Cardstock, Pear Pizzazz, River Rock, Sahara Sand Classic Ink. Making Memories - Big Kids Boys 8x8 Paper Collection & stickers, EK Success - Large Scallop Embossing border punch, The Twinery - Marischino Twine, Recollections - Alpha Clear Stamps (from my stash & purchased at Michaels)

I just finished up some grad school homework and was checking out my google reader when I came across this great video via Glee. Now I'm not a huge fan of TV at all. I don't get the opportunity to watch much of it but I'm a musical theatre junkie (My fav is Cats and I have it on VHS - don't laugh. ha!). So enjoy.

That's all for now. Ciao.

iTeach: Teach me how to Study........Love this...

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Why I love my Job....

Coming from a corporate background where the money was great, the perks were awesome, and the stress level was crushing, I looked at teaching as something I never thought I'd be doing. I always knew that I didn't want to be a teacher, even when I didn't know what else I wanted to do either. Everyone that I'd ever encounter always told me that I needed to be a teacher. I've always been a people person and I've always been a lifelong learner.  Truth be told,   Teaching has been the most rewarding, fulfilling job that I've ever had.

I was a pharmacy recruiter right before I got my first teaching job. I'd been working there about 1.5 years when the economy tanked. I'd been doing very well up until that point even obtaining my first promotion within 6 months of starting that job, however when the economy went south so did my commission, and so did my job security. I knew it was a matter of time before I was let go and I knew I didn't want to be behind a desk anymore. I'd had enough of being on the telephone and the computer screen for 8 hours a day 5-6 days per week. I had to make a move and I wanted to make one that I could be happy with and for a long long time. I started looking into alternative certification programs here in Texas since I already had my bachelor's degree.

Now here is where God stepped in. I didn't know when I was going to be let go I just knew it was comming eventually so I started making my back up plan. I contacted the certification department of PISD (after having tried another program and hating it) and submitted all my paperwork. I wasn't accepted right away because I never took the THEA College Entrance test (I was exempt because of my SAT scores) and these scores were among the criteria for acceptance into the program. I signed up for the test and submitted my scores, was accepted, and scheduled my start date. A few weeks later my start date rolls around and I'm excited. The certification specialist advised all of the participants to keep their jobs until they had secured another position within the district so the certification classes were all scheduled at night.  I went to work at 7:30 am, was laid-off at 9:00 am, and started my program at 5:00 pm that evening. I literally started my Alternative Certification Program the same day that I was laid-off. It was hard packing up my cubicle (So glad I no longer have a cubicle!!) and driving home while everyone else was on their way to work, but the pain of being asked to leave was softened by knowing that I was on my way to a career that I'd love.

And loving my career is a huge understatement. Teaching is challenging, rewarding, and asks so much more of you than simply teaching a student how to spell, write in complete sentences, and know the difference between an article and an adjective. I've heard stories like this more often than I'd like and it's so hard to process that information, try to help in any way possible, and maintain some sort of detachment when I go home, but I do my best and I try my best and I give all that I have everyday; The rewards come with every student who trusts me with their story and the angry kid who breaks down in tears and hugs me, and tells me that no one has every made them feel as safe as they do when they are in my class. I get those rewards everyday and they mean more to me than any bonus that someone can pay me. (Although a bonus would certainly be awesome....ha ha!!). I love my job, I love my school, I love my colleagues, and I love my students. It doesn't get any better than that.

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Have you seen the "New" release sneak peaks. OMGoodness. I have my eye on this right now.

Banners are the hottest thing right now and I'm just loving the fact that Papertrey is jumping in on this trend. I'm sure this stamp set will be one of my favorites. Hopefully there will be a matching die. *I swoon.

In the words of Rachel Zoe, "I die". Seriously.

You can't help but love the mat stacks. They are super awesome and a must have for cardmakers like myself. I simply can't wait until the 15th.

Enjoy. Ciao.