Free Fall Printable - Subway Art w/ Graphics

Today I am sharing a fun and free fall subway printable. 



{The file you receive will not include this border}



Would you like one? Simply leave a comment.  If your email is hooked up through blogger... I can respond that way and attach your printable... if it isn't, then go ahead and leave your email and I will send you the printable within a day.

Then you simply upload it to your favorite printing service (Shutterfly, CVS, Persnickety Prints, etc...), choose 8x10 (it will print best that way) and make sure they don't auto color correct it.  When it arrives or you pick it up, simply put it in a frame and you have instant fall decor for a bare wall, mantle, or table.

9.10.11 - Our Overnight Trip to Maine

On Saturday morning my father-in-law, Gil, met us at our house and we headed to Maine for the day.  It was a quick easy drive up there.  We stopped for a quick lunch along the way... at a gas station.  Yep... we ate lunch at a gas station.  They had an Italian place inside and it was good.  While eating we saw these two with their lovely hair dos checking out at the register.

 We also stopped at this HUGE Indian along the way so Maddie could pose for some photos.

We arrived in Freeport, Maine and started to hit all of the shops on foot.  The first thing my husband asked me was if I had brought the camera... oops.  We have a small point and shoot and a larger expensive camera (that I have no idea how to use)... both of those were left at home. 

The weather was gorgeous and this was a beautiful little town.  They had all sorts of big stores like the largest LL Bean store, Gymboree, Coach, North Face, etc... as well as a bunch of little fun shops like the one called Abacus where I bought this calendar at.  They are actually 12 separate prints.  So during the month I will frame the print in an 11x14 print and then I figure afterwards there are several (obviously not the cat and dog ones) that I will frame to display in our house.  The $28 price tag on this calendar was much easier to swallow than the $125 print by this artist I really wanted.

Maddie wanted this duck.  It was $59.  She liked it simply because it was decoupaged with French words.  She is obsessed with anything French related.  Obsessed. I explained to her we could very easily create something similar with a paper mache duck at home.  She seemed satisfied with that.

Then we stopped for Wicked Whoopies. We got a small original, an oatmeal creme pie one, and a chocolate peanut butter one.

Here is Maddie with her favorite Starbucks drink - passion fruit ice tea lemonade.

We stopped at this little shop.  They had funny little things like these onion ring flavored mints-

And this moose hat my husband tried on-

A bit further down we found a small ice cream and candy shop that featured lobster ice cream. Maddie and Chris each had a sample.  They were not impressed.  They settled for cookie dough and strawberry cones instead.

Some more photos of Maddie - 

Then we headed to Brunswick where my husband and his four brothers were all born to surprise Chris' Gram.  I am so glad we decided to do this.  She was definitely thrilled to see us.  We had a nice visit with her.

Later that evening we stopped for dinner to get some yummy Maine seafood before heading back to our hotel in Freeport for the night.

The weather was beautiful and we had a great weekend. 

It's Ok....

Today I am linking up for It's Ok Thursdays... well because I saw it on Kit's blog this morning in my Google Reader and I love a good bulleted list.

 It's OK to want to strangle the person who you haven't spoken to in forever who sends you this text -   

 It's OK to walk your kid to the bus stop...and then get back in bed...and sleep for two extra hours...then pretend like you never did it when your husband texts you and asks what you've been up to. It's OK to love being a stay at home mom/housewife/really needs to find a way to make money person more than you really should. It's OK to jump up from the computer when you hear your husband pulling into the driveway and pretend you have been working super hard all day. It's OK to watch nothing but reality TV. It's OK to watch Dance Moms and Toddlers and Tiaras. It's OK to realize that you have way too many email addresses but you really need them all.  I have 4.  One AOL one I have had forever, a personal Gmail one, and 2 different Gmail ones for my business endeavors. It's OK to be starting a new business and be 1/2 super excited and 1/2 scared to death. It's OK to have lived in your house since August 8 and not unpacked your master bedroom.

Even a Baker Has a Bad Day

This afternoon I started working on a baking order for chocolate frosted brownies.  I took a chance with a new recipe...and boy it did not disappoint.  I made two pans.  One for the order and another - which I added caramel bits and chocolate chips to for our family.  Well let's just say the pan for my family slipped when I removed it from the oven and brownies got all over the oven door.  I must have done a good job spraying the pan before I filled it with batter... because they just slid right out...

Only this was left in the pan... and yep... I ate it right from the pan to test it out...which left me even more disappointed I ruined the pan...because these were the yummiest chewiest brownies ever.

Guest Posting Over at From Two to Four - Check it Out

I am guest posting today over at From Two to Four.  Brittany is a twin mama with lots of great things to share.  I have no idea how I found her blog.  I don't have twins... but I wouldn't mind having them.  I am pretty sure Brittany loves reality TV as much as I do.

A few weeks ago she asked for guest posters for this week and I jumped at the chance to sign up.

 

So please head over there and check out my post about ensuring your children have a great school year. 

Some of my favorite posts from Brittany are -

Seriously Thursday posts
A great first birthday party she hosted

No First Day of School for Me

The 2002-2003 school year was my first year as a classroom teacher.  I taught 6th grade English in an urban school and it was one tough year.  I came home many days with a horrible headache and just cried.

The 2010-2011 school year was hopefully my last year as a classroom teacher.  Today is the first day since 2002 where I haven't had a first day of school.

Let me just say it feels great.

I was run down and burnt out.  I left most days right at 3.... right when the kids left.  I didn't do any work at home.  I had lost my passion for teaching.   I had given all I had to give to the school I was at and I was just done.  I was done way before I resigned... which is terrible...and it is not something I am proud of.  

Working at my school had moved far from being children based.   I was sick of teaching to the test.  I was sick of not being backed up with behavior issues.  I was sick of a lack of parental support.  I was sick of rudeness from both students and parents.  I was sick of having kids sit in my class who I couldn't get to pass a test... no matter how hard I once tried.  Because really... if that child is reading on  3rd grade reading level... they probably aren't going to pass my 6th grade test.  I was sick of the dog and pony show when we had a bunch of kids who couldn't read and write... and an administration who didn't care about children... she just wanted things to look great and the kids to pass a test.  Who cares if you don't really have relationships with your students?  Can they pass the test? 

I got burnt out because I missed what teaching once was to me.  I missed designing fun and meaningful lessons.  I missed a time when everything did not have to be multiple choice.  I missed my relationships with my students and their families. 

Maybe one day I will return to teaching... hopefully in a school system that values students, families, and teachers. 

Monday Ramblings...

1. First of all, I bit the bullet and signed up this m0rning to sell Scentsy wick less candles.  I hope to share more about it later in the week.    I am super excited about this opportunity to create some income with this business.

2. My parents visited this weekend for two nights.  We had a great visit.  My mom helped me finish unpacking the guest bedroom.  We enjoyed yummy meals, a trip to BJs, the farmer's market, a tour of Newport, and a family BBQ.

3. Today is Labor Day.  I went grocery shopping {after making a meal plan and a grocery list} and Chris took Maddie to see the new Spy Kids movie and to Michaels to get a sketch pad she needed for art class.

4. Speaking of meal plan's... my brother-in-law is coming over for dinner tomorrow with his daughter.  I will be serving make your own chicken soft tacos, beef enchiladas, Mexican corn cake, Mexican rice, and chips and salsa + a chocolate cream pie for dessert.

5. Maddie started her new school last week and LOVES it... well as much as a 7th grader can love school.  This makes me so happy.  However she does not like to be walked to and from the bus stop.  On Friday afternoon she was so worried my mom was going to come meet her at the bus stop she sent me this hysterical text -

6.  I made peanut butter cup brownies and assorted chocolate cupcakes {some were cream filled, some topped with chocolate ganache and Butterfingers bits, and the rest with chocolate ganache and peanut butter cups} for the BBQ I mentioned above.  They were a huge hit.

Show Us Your Life - My Favorite Blogs w/ Kelly's Korner

One of the first blogs I started reading was Kelly's Korner.  She started my love of blogs and blogging.  Today she is doing a linky party to share your favorite blogs.... So I am going to highlight a few.  I think you should definitely add these blogs to your Google Reader.  You will not be disappointed.

I love love love Megan from In This Wonderful Life.  Megan just had the most adorable twin babies, Knox and Sloane.  If you haven't checked out her blog, you have to.

Then there is Happy Go Lucky.  I worked with Kara as a teacher for 8 years.  She has great decorating and craft ideas.  She also does a weekly blog hop.   Check her out.   Then there is Tales of the Trees.  Megan just had a sweet baby too.  His name is Eli and he is super cute.  I love her fun blog and the funny things she shares. 

 Finally is Keeping Up With the Joneses.  Kendall has great recipes.  She is one of my go to's for easy dinners.  You definitely need to follow her so you get all of her super recipes.

 What are some of your favorite blogs to read?

I Have a 7th Grader

This morning we were all up at 6 am.  I don't think Maddie and I have been up that early all summer.

{She has a quilt that matches...but insists on sleeping with this old Waverly comforter I used on my bed in college}

She got dressed in the new outfit she selected last night.

I made her a hot breakfast - scrambled eggs and a toasted bagel with veggie cream cheese.  My poor husband lucked out too and I made him an egg and cheese bagel sandwich to take to work.  I never get up and make him breakfast.

Then I made her pose for a photo with her dad.

Then I did her hair in a high pony tail like she asked.

Then I made her pose for photos in the yard.

Then I insisted I walk her to the bus stop.  Yes... you can see the bus stop from our front door.  However after reading the Jaycee Dugard book this summer... she is never walking to the bus stop alone.  Ever.  Never.  Ever. Ever.  I was happy when two twin boys arrived at the bus stop with their mom...and her huge camera.

She kept telling me to hide in a bush, to go back home, she was fine, etc...  I stood there until the bus came, she got on it, and the bus driver looked at me like I was nutso because I was still standing there after he waved and told me to have a nice day.

Then I came home and felt sick.  What if she didn't make it to school?  I had told her to text me when the bus pulled into school.  She didn't.  My husband tried to tell me she had no intention on ever doing it. 

So then I climbed into bed and watched Sunday's episode of True Blood...which by the way I am not sure if I am loving this season.

Then I played some Words with Friends.

Then I made myself a bagel... 1/2 with a slice of melted cheese and 1/2 with chunky peanut butter.  The cheese 1/2 was better.

I drank a diet wild cherry Pepsi.

I applied for a tutoring job on the Internet.

Here it is 10:35.... bored outta my mind.

But I have a house to finish unpacking because my parents will be here tomorrow for their first visit to Rhode Island.

I am hoping like crazy she loved it, she had a great day, and she met tons of awesome people.

You Might Not Know...

You might not know this about me but....

1. I have a huge fear of falling down the stairs...which makes me go down stairs in the weirdest one foot at a time way 99.9% of the time...embarrassing.

2. I love love love trashy reality TV...pretty much I will watch a reality TV show on just about any topic... My favorites being Teen Mom and Hard Time {about prisons}.

3. I would get so much more done if I didn't have a laptop or my iPhone with an Internet connection.  All sorts of great blogs, Facebook, Pinterest, and Words with Friends are always sucking up my time.  I bet my entire house would be unpacked from my August 8th move in... or my etsy bakery shop would be fully up and running... my 2011 digital family album would be done started... or a slew of other things I could've  or should've been doing.

4. I got pregnant my junior year of college.  Dropped out, moved home, worked full time as an intern at the CIA, and then had a baby.  Then I moved back to school {3.5 hours away} moving into a small one bedroom apartment, enrolling my baby at the university daycare, and finished my degree as a single mama.   I have lots of respect for single moms.

5. I met my husband on eHarmony.  I finally responded to his request the day his membership was ending.  I never would have 'matched' up with him at a bar which had been my go to meeting spot.  eHarmony works...it does.  I swear.  I recommended it to a friend.  She was engaged in several months. If you are single and looking...sign up.  I am pretty sure you will meet someone awesome and be engaged in a year.

6. I love diet coke...diet wild cherry pepsi...and cherry coke zero.  I drink it in the morning.  I drink too much of it.  Sometimes I think I need an IV of it.  But guess what... as soon as I am pregnant... I will give it up.  No baby = I am going to keep on drinking it.  Baby = no more until it's born.

I'd love for you to comment with two things I do not know about you!