Crayola's going green!

If you have kids or if you're a teacher, or if you just like to use markers, you might have noticed that the Crayola kind are now black instead of the white they have been since forever.  I have noticed this all year and several times in between the "Mrs. Cooper!!"s and the taps on my arm, I hypothesized about why.  Perhaps its a marketing tool.  A new look.  A fresh start. 

Well this past week, I accidentally stumbled upon a blog that talked about why!  You see, Crayola is using an innovative technique that uses recycled bottle caps to create their markers.  Having a black barrel allows them to use more recycled materials, keeping more than 1 million plastic bottle caps out of the landfills.  Interesting huh?!  Way to go Crayola.  Way to go.

Red Cups and Sleeping in

Today was a good day.  Let me tell you why.

I got to sleep in (until 6am) because I had training today at another campus and didn't need to arrive crazy early.  I am learning A TON!  I can't wait to use it with my students.

I got to eat out at a restaurant for lunch!  And, just so happened that it was the birthday of the lady that I went to lunch with so I got to share in her birthday lunch.  She is another bilingual teacher so we talked the whole time in Spanish.  Very fun.  AND THEN we got Starbucks.  In a red cup.  On a cold day.  Ahh bliss. 

I got home way earlier than usual.  I usually stay late at school, but today I wasn't at my school so there was no reason to stay late.  I got home, I researched sewing machines (more on that later), and even took a little nap.

The night has been so productive.  I made a super easy dinner of waffles (leggo my eggo!), eggs, and turkey bacon.  All good except for the turkey part.  Yes, its healthier but oh so disappointing.  Then we went to Target where I got new markers, gel pens, and highlighters.  I'm a big pens/markers/color person and Ben had gotten me a pack of sharpies and gel pens that I already had so I switched them for some new ones.  Again, bliss. 

And finally, I worked out with GIAM on the Ball workout.  We were rockin it and my legs feel like jelly now.  Good feeling. 

Happy Wednesday!

Birthday treats

This past Friday was my 27th birthday - and that just sounds weird.  I started the day with a gift from Ben - a purse I had been wanting filled with goodies he knows I love such as gel pens, a cat folder, new sharpie markers, and cute socks (yes, I did say I'm 27).  Then he took me to Starbucks for birthday breakfast.  And it makes it all sweeter to know that Friday is his day off so he voluntarily got up at 6:15am with me! 

It was a hilarious and fun day at school as well.  Every year, we do Book Character Dress up Day on or as close as possible to Halloween.  The ladies on my team all dressed up as Cinderellas from different Cinderella versions!  I was Cinder-Elly, the cool, city Cinderella.  We also had Mexican Cinderella, Cowgirl Cinderella, Caribbean Cinderella and of course the traditional one.  Anyways, I felt so loved at school.  One of the parents of my kids brought me a vase full of beautiful roses, my sweet teammate Ashley baked a delicious Buttermilk cake using my mom's recipe, and we ordered Papa John's pizza for lunch. 

That night, my parents, my sister, and my nephew Jacob who shares a birthday with me (he turned 14) came in town from Allen.  They were so sweet to make the trek down to Katy.  We went out to Yard House for dinner and then came home for cake, ice cream and presents.  Boy I love me a good family party.

The next day we did various girly things such as shopping and eating a girly lunch at a place that sells coffee and flowers.  Genius combination.  And finally, after the fam returned to Allen, and to culminate the birthday specialness, Ben took me out to "the most romantic restaurant in Houston" called Peli Peli.  It was a wonderful atmosphere and I even got a picture with the Chef!  Thanks everyone for making me feel so loved and special on my birthday!

My friend running

Tonight, I went back to my friend running.  I have never been one to run or even work out for any consistent amount of time.  Until this past January, that is, when I started running.  Nothing hard core, but at least 1-3 times a week.  Starting from literally 0, It took me forever to work up to running 2 miles a couple times of week and I was feeling pretty good.  And then school started.  All the extra energy I had to used to give myself the "umph" needed to go out and run was zapped and I hadn't run since the end of August.  Well, tonight, I mustered it back up and went running.  It felt great!  I mean it hurt, yes, but it felt so good to run and sweat and breath hard.  And my legs have that jelly, just went running feeling.  I will sleep well tonight!

Whimsical Wednesday - Decorate with silverware!

So, every Wednesday, I'm going to start giving you the fun things I find on Open Sky.  If you want a full explanation of what Open Sky is, go HERE.  In a nut shell, I am an Open Sky seller and I find suppliers.  All I do is promote their items that I think are cool and if you want to buy them, you just buy through me.  It's like I'm their advertiser.  Some are homemade and other stuff is not but it's all unique and cute.  So...here's what I've found for this week:
These items are from Cake Vintage.  A lot of their products are decorated and made out of vintage silverware which I think is creative and fun.  Here's some things I found...

Dishtowel with silverware design - $33

Buy Now

And...a notepad adorned with a vintage spoon on top (includes 50 sheets) - $15

Buy Now

Getting started...

So last week, I started on my newest project - addressing invitations for a wedding!!  I am so excited to have been referred by my sweet friend Jen and I am about halfway through.  Here is what I am using...

Brand new sharp nib (that's what the tip is called that you dip into the ink)

Sumi Ink - Black

Capitals cheat sheet to make sure I do them right

And voila!

Do you need some hope?

We can all use hope and encouragement on a daily basis.  I've been reading Proverbs 31 ministries' daily devotions (not daily...more like a few in one day) during my times with the Lord.  They are light, short, and encouraging but they touch on deep subjects.  Today's was about having hope.  The verses were from Lamentations 3:21-24 and I just couldn't help sharing.

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. - Lamentations 3:21-24

Hope you are encouraged today!