from Coffee Station to Back to School

I got a little crazy on myself when it came to finding the perfect kitchen hutch to house my newest desire for a coffee station. I'm not completely finished with all the decorating details, but that's okay because that's my favorite part! I found this little piece at a local vendor's mall after traveling and hunting for hours on different Saturdays! Yes, it was about twenty minutes away. It was fun while it lasted, but honestly, the hubs and I were about to give up on finding that perfect piece.

This adventure of mine is so ironic because I don't even drink coffee. Yes, you're smiling about that right now. Isn't this just the cutest coffee zone, though? My husband does drink it and it's funny because everyone in my family has been laughing about me setting this area up. Hey, at least they will be happy when they visit, right?

So, I was going to say that this coffee station is going to get me up and ready for back to school, but I ain't even gonna use it. Okay, I might put my hot chocolate over there when winter time rolls around, so there, I will use it. Happy school days, people!

Sharing a Little Digital Graphics Shop

Ladies and Gents, I've found the most adorable little shop on TpT and this lady has a lot of her items for sale for only one dollar! Yes, that's what I said, $1! This got me all excited because out of her shop I was able to make the most adorable cover pages I've shown you above for you teachers out there. These are sure to help with that classroom organization! It's called Hidesy's Clipart and she has tons of different digital items and the best part is, listen up all you TpT sellers out there, it's commercial use friendly and you don't even have to give her credit even though that would be sweet, of course!

So head on over to her shop to get yourself in on some of this digital action! Have a great rest of your day!

-Casey

My Newest Adventure

I've decided to open up a third business. I know, you're thinking I'm crazy right now. Two kids and a full time job, summers off. Well, I've been known to embark on one too many business adventures within the past five years. I would say at least 15 business adventures have come my way. Hahaha. I just can't help myself. I get this idea in my head and I just take off with it. Whether or not it goes anywhere doesn't ever seem to matter to me. Of course, I get down sometimes about them not working out, but it's okay. The point I'm trying to make here is I don't ever give up. Not one single time, even though I have failed more than one time, I dropped the business and started another idea. I can't even count how many business endeavors have failed for me. I just get back up and try something else. Let's see my TpT shop took off. I have made since 2012 over $36,000. My first Etsy shop with simple card designs has done alright, but it doesn't pull in much so most of the time it isn't worth my time. Now look at me, here I am with my latest creation of logo designs. I'm laughing inside right now because I'm thinking what in the world are you doing girl!!!

So feel free to look around my little Etsy shop right now and cheer this mommapreneur on. I'm planning to have at least a 100 different designs loaded by the end of this year! Yay for this girl!

Don't Worry...just live life

Today I woke with a heavy heart and then I heard my kiddos laughing and playing downstairs. That instantly made me smile even though yesterday I wanted to pull my hair out by 5:00 pm. Gotta love your babies. We are mother's and it is exhausting and it's nice to have some time alone, right? Is that okay? No alone time equals a possible state of depression or even a loss of hair! Sometimes I get this vibe from people, you know, the judgers who think you should be with your kids 24/7 and not have a life of your own. I mean there comes a time when the cord needs to be cut, let them spread their wings. Moms, it's okay to go out for a couple of hours every once in a blue moon and leave them with daddy, you've been with them every single day this week and even when daddy has worked late or been out of town, you were right there. It's good for your babies to know it's okay if you aren't around. It'll teach them a little independence, right? 

So I pulled out my daily devotional app this morning and came across the verse, "this is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it" Psalms 118:24. This devotional really hit home, I have decided that the negative experiences of yesterday are not enough to ruin my day today. I have no control over yesterday or tomorrow, but today I do and I'm going to be happy. Heck, I might even go mow the yard here in a little while with my little helper on my lap. See, spending time with your kids comes in many moments. 

I hope you all will take this and apply it to your Saturday. Have a great weekend! 

My Trip to D.C.

Let's just say my trip to D.C. for a girls weekend was absolutely filled with fun and amazing adventures. The first day we were in town me and my bestie explored the Ford Theatre as well as the home where Lincoln was taken the night he was wounded. I must say, if you are a teacher of history then Washington, D.C. is definitely a trip you need to take. We also explored some museums and were able to see the Bill of Rights, the Constitution, and the Declaration of Independence. Keep in mind that these areas of exploration were very crowded so if you are a little bit scared of pushy, close quarters, then I wouldn't go see these items.

Let's see what else can I add, the Metro was an awesome way of transportation. It wasn't the cheapest form of transportation, the cheapest form was actually using an Uber. We used the app and would usually pick UberPool which allowed you to ride with other guests for super cheap. My first Uber ride I was terrified, I mean come on, my mother had always taught me to never ever jump in a car with a complete stranger!!! Turns out this is a common thing in big cities and my friend does it almost every single day. One Uber driver informed up that he made about $600 a week!!! So ya see, nothing to be scared of!

There's also the night life we can talk about! It was so much fun, more night life than what I'm used to of course. There's clubs, I mean tons of them you and the girls can go dancing in. If you're not willing to fight the men off, then I wouldn't go. Sorry guys, it happens. So here's my story. I had never ever officially gone to a club, an actual real club where you have to be approved by your looks before going inside as well as your ID. You know how you see those kids on TV trying to sneak in or trying to talk the guy at the gate into letting them in. We get in, which wasn't hard. I am absolutely terrified. First, we were a little underdressed, but looking good wearing jeans. Second, it was dark, super dark and of course loud. We go in and I pull the entryway curtain back and I just have this look of terror on my face, I just know it. My bestie starts dying laughing and at this point, I am scared to absolute death. I'm not this girl which is so funny. Anyway, long story short, we end up having a great time just dancing as we both love to dance, all the while beating the men off with sticks and our wedding rings! Haha! One night we actually took Salsa lessons. That was interesting and fun at the same time. Please don't wear a short dress if you go salsa dancing ladies. I made that mistake, but it was still a great experience.

Well, I hope y'all will visit D.C. and be sure to take your walking shoes!! This is one place you'll want to add to your bucket list!

Graphics Resource Website

Listen people, I am absolutely obsessed with digital graphics!! I've been an active customer on this site called Creative Market for as long as I can remember and it is just so much fun to browse around even if I don't purchase anything. I know sad, right? If you are a sucker for adorable and beautiful fonts, then this is the place for you! I have thousands of gorgeous fonts and I just can't get enough of them. That's also sad, but it's just a hobby I guess.

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer!!

Summer is Half-Way Over!!!

The summer is half-way over for this chic!!! I am so excited for going back to work and I'm not even sure why!!! Maybe it's because I've found my dream job as a special educator? Could it be? YES!! It's true!! Dream job has been found and I absolutely love it! 

So I have to admit, I've been a little slow on my TpT shop this summer. I've just been very distracted. I've worked on a few things, but I haven't been killing myself with it. I've got a video out that lot's of other educator's seem to be enjoying and I just wanted to share that link with you and tell you a little bit about the video. Basically, I'm just going to come out and say it, this video could change your everyday life in your classroom!!! I provide you with a variety of classroom management advice that includes all my secrets, all of my classroom teaching tips, and any ideas that I've developed throughout the years that have helped me to become a better teacher! 

CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO

I'm going into my ninth year of teaching and let me tell you, if I would've known all of this back then, my life would've been so much easier. It's like that song that goes, "I wish that I would've known then what I know now". 

Thanks for reading!

Barnett's School House

Getting so cozy with hand warmers

I just adore hand warmers!!! When I was driving to work a few weeks ago, and as the days became cooler, I noticed my students and others standing outside in the cold waiting on buses. So I've become a little obsessed with making them lately and giving them to my students. So obsessed in fact, that my sister and my mother became obsessed and now we have about fifty different kinds right now. I wanted to show you how to create your very own homemade hand warmers.

Supplies you'll need:

Thread/sewing machine-duh
Fabric, a fat quarter (leaves you plenty to play with)
Scissors and pinking shears
Paper and a printer to print my adorable labels
Rice/small funnel

First, we start off with two 3.25 x 3.25 inch strips of fabric. 

Next, we place them together with the designs facing outward on both sides.

Then, we sew along the edges with just enough space for pinking them out! Be sure to leave an opening to pour the rice in before closing it up. I seem to always close it up and end up having to pick it back apart. 

Lastly, we pink the edges with pinking shears (which I can't show you at this moment as my sister has become obsessed and has borrowed them for the time being). Sorry about that. 

You're going to end with the most adorable hand warmers you'll ever see! If you're not much on sewing and would just like to get a hand warmer that's ready to gift, visit my Etsy shop and find some really adorable ones! My favorites are my Little Critters Hand Warmers with the moose on them!