off topic; make some cash online doing what you've been doing all along

If you're online often and would like to gradually earn some cash in easy ways, doing stuff you probably already do, like net surfing, watching videos, and playing games, then head over to my other blog and check out some cool ideas:

http://noplacelikehome-lynn.blogspot.com/2014/01/cool-ways-to-earn-money-online-doing.html


    I have been so busy with college this term. I have had to just about put blogging on the back burner (along with meals, housework, family time, TV, leisure reading, Pinterest  *gasp*, you know, all the things I actually enjoy doing in life). It's been really hard and I am not doing well in any area which tells me I have again bitten off more than I can chew (this is an issue I wrestle with). I truly did not mean to do this again. It's just that way back in August I needed more work hours. I figured while I was waiting on them to pick up I could help out more at church--other teachers had family and work issues and needed a break-- which translated into teaching not one class (as I had prayed about) but three. I was still good with this. Then bam! More work hours! Yay! A blessing! Then around Sept. my college mentor says I need to add in just one more class to be considered a full-time student and get my financial aid. Ok, I thought, now my legs are shaking a bit. By November I was thinking What have I done?! And by January I was in melt-down mode. Now I am in recovery-mode. I have had to temporarily drop my Wednesday nights at church and volunteer to go home early a few times at work. I have had to cram and study like a maniac, but it is finally working.

     All these things are GOOD things. Nothing wrong with work...it pays the bills. Nothing wrong with church service...it grows us closer to God. Nothing wrong with college...it helps us to hopefully reach our full workplace potential.  But being a full-time mom, full-time preschool teacher, full-time wife, full-time church worker, and full-time student takes up a full amount of time. Sometimes I just stand and think about knocking my head up against the wall. I have seriously considered a short term break. Thankfully my college, WGU TN, is very flexible and the course mentors and my personal mentor have been so helpful. I have about 3 weeks to pass one more LIT class and then maybe, I'll be on track for next term.

    Meanwhile, I am enjoying being back in my old classroom. It is hard at times due to the numbers of kids I have, but they are eager learners and are *mostly* really cute. lol  I've been delving into my first attempts at learning about whole brain teaching and reflective practice. I'd love to hear how you are using these ideas in your EC classrooms.

I can never stay in a room too long without a makeover. Thanks to my dear hubby (who gets sucked into my requests), we spent a few hours re-arranging and cleaning one Sat. night (yeah, it was kind of like a date-- except we didn't eat or watch a movie or hold hands...but hey, there were no kids). I can say that probably by summer my little classroom will be needing another  makeover. I get restless and so does the tribe of monkeys. I can tell when a room (and its contents) are old news. It is amazing what a little shuffling of centers and manipulatives will do for a group of 4 and 5 year-olds.

I hope to post photos later. As for now, it's back to supper and homework.

Blessings in your new year!