A First for Everything : TPT

Showing posts with label TPT. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Battle of the Bulge

Tomorrow I leave for Las Vegas. I can't wait to go to the Teachers Pay Teachers Conference.

I have been very fortunate to get to know some really wonderful people here in the blogging work. Karen from Little Smarticle Particles who has become my product proofreading goddess I met through the TPT Seller Challenge. Also, Kristen from Kristen's Kindergarten is a doll.

Amy from Learning Lessons with Mrs. Labrasciano has become my dearest friend. Without her love, support, guidance, and friendship I would never be blogging or traveling to Vegas.

Here is Paul Edelman (founder of TPT) Amy, and me at the last TPT conference last summer.

As excited as I am about traveling to Vegas and seeing all the friends I have made in the teaching, blogging and TPT community, I have had some....what's the word....anxiety, fear, and depression about it. Maybe this is normal. Maybe not. I'm not sure.

My fears are not about traveling, or flying, or getting lost. I am not anxious about socializing (I actually love that part). I am anxious about...me. It's hard to even type that.

I am struggling with my weight and it hurts. I use to look like this...

This was in 2009.

Now....not so much...

I'd like to say that I'm eating salads and healthy foods, drinking water, working out and doing all I can but the truth is...I'm not. I'm eating what I've always eaten. The problem is that I'm now 41. I'm not 22 anymore. I can't eat the way I used to and I want to cry just typing that. My exercise is walking the dog and since I have a beagle we do a lot more of this....

than actual walking.

... so my exercise is lacking.

Truth is I love food. I have a sweet tooth. I eat anything with sugar. I know. It's horrible for me. I'm addicted. No joke-addicted. I don't want to give up the foods I love. I don't want to exercise. I. hate. it. I'm not good at it. And so...now I look like this.

And I hate it.

I know I shouldn't worry about what people think of me. I know I shouldn't feel the need to impress. I know this and yet maybe if I had the perfect dress I would feel better. So yesterday..

I went here...

and tried on 3 dresses.

Then I went here...

and tried on 5.

Then I went here...

and didn't try any because there were no dresses in my size (which used to be a 16 but now I'm pushing a size 18) and 2 really cute, skinny girls who had an armful or dresses and it made me feel bad.

So then I went to...

and tried on 3 more.

Next I went to..

and after almost fainting at the prices, I tried on one dress. I couldn't get that one over my hips.

After dinner, I ventured to...

where...wait for it.....

I finally got a dress! Then it was onto CVS to get nail polish and a tanning lotion.

When I got home I texted Amy and told her about how sad and depressed and anxious I have been feeling and she responded with this (her comments are I grey, mine are blue)...

And I started to cry. I mean...full on ugly tears cry. She had no idea. I never told her. Amy didn't even know it but she reminded me what is most important in life.

I thought back to all the stores I went to, shopping for "THE perfect outfit" as if that outfit was going to make me feel better. As if a dress, a pair of shoes, and all the right the matching accessories are going to make Cara Carroll or Annie Moffatt (ladies I truly admire) like me more.

No dress is going to do that. Not even the most well matched accessories.

I have 2 choices.

1. I can accept myself for the way I am or...
2. I can not. And make....really make...the conscience decision to work for it. It's not going to just happen. I have to work for it.

If I put as much time and energy into getting myself healthy and fit as I do into blogging and creating new products I wouldn't have to shop in 10 different stores to find validation. Or would I?

Would scrolling through my Instagram feed make me still want to have what it seems like everyone else has? The clothes, the earrings from Kendall Scott, the Erin Condren Planner that I can't afford but want anyway? I'm willing to bet it would. I think that's the Devil talking.

Thank you, Amy for reminding me what really matters. For grounding me and getting me off the pity train. I love you, dear friend.

What I have learned through the TPT Seller Challenge is that the friends I have met along the way are my friends because they accept me for who and what I am. There is no competition between is. We truly want one another to succeed and do well. We support one another and lift each other up. Sometimes it's a simple comment on a blog post, a like or a comment on Instagram, a kind email, or an invite to a linky. And sometimes it comes as a text from someone you never even knew 2 years ago but they knew just what to say.

This week when I am in Vegas I am going to keep all of this in mind. I'm looking forward to seeing my friends, in the new dress I bought and the other 4 outfits I pulled from my closet. I'm looking forward to enjoying the moment and living in the moment.

How about you? Have you made friends here in the blogging community? I hope so.

Monday, July 6, 2015

Monday Made It

I'm so excited for another Monday Made it with 4th Grade Frolics!

My parents bought this desk for me for $2 when I was a little girl. I spent many hours playing school with it as a child. Over the years it has rusted but it is still well-loved. I decided to give it a facelift and I hope to use it as a "VIP" desk in my classroom.

I covered the edges of the desk with painters tape and the seat of the chair with newspaper.

Next, I used a wire brush to brush off excess rust and dirt. I then used dish soap and water to clean it.

I spray painted a coat of primer on the legs and sides to help the paint

adhere. Since the top of the desk is a wood laminate I just left that alone.

I then spray painted the legs, sides, and inside of the desk with a grey stone Rustoleum spray paint. I used the same paint on the legs of the chair.

I wanted to keep the vintage look of the desk but also give it some life so chose a rather neutral grey color.

My favorite part of the desk though is this vintage scrapbook paper that I Mod Podged on the top. It took about 10-12 layers of Mod Podge to make it smooth but I love the results!

I am so happy with this TPT Planner and Blog Organizer that I made this week. It has really helped me to organize my blog posts, plan future products, monitor my expenses, and track my followers on social media.

The month of July is free. You can find it by clicking on the FREEBIES tab here on my blog.

Have you made any fun projects this summer?

Friday, July 3, 2015

TPT Planner and Blog Organizer

Have you ever been scheduled to link up with another blogger but can't remember what date and time it was? Have you ever had a great idea for a product and wrote it down....somewhere ....but can't remember where?

I would schedule these things on my phone or use the "note" app and then forgot about it. I needed a better system. Something that could keep me organized. I wanted all my TPT and blog data in one place since I often work on both at the same time.

I am sooooo excited about this TPT Planner and Blog Organizer!

This modern and colorful planner has everything I need to help me to organize and manage blog posts, sales and promotions and giveaways that I participate in. I also use it to help track the number of followers I have each month in social media. I look for trends based on the content I post in my blog and store. Are my followers increasing each month? Is the growth rate steady?

I also plan my TPT products using the product planning sheet by listing the idea/topic, subject area, clipart used to make the product and expenses accrued as a result.

With beautiful papers, accents, and quotes this resource not only helps me to be more you organized, I feel good doing it!

Each month contains a 2 page calendar and also 3 pages of charts for documenting data including:
- Social media stats (how many followers you accrue each month. Is your following growing?)
- Total sales per month by year (2014, 2015, 2016)
-Notes section to record thoughts and notes to self.
-Promotions, sales and giveaways record keeping (record date and the name of the giveaway)
-Expense recording chart
-Sales recording chart
-Blog post recording chart (date and topic)
-Product planner page (idea, topic, graphics used, etc.)
-Product log to record time spent creating and expenses per product.

You can get the TPT Planner and Blog Organizer for the month of July FREE here to try it out.

The complete TPT Planner and Blog Organizer can be found here.

This product marks week 3 for me of the TPT seller challenge. Many thanks to Sparkling in Second, Teach, Create, Motivate, Peppy Zest Teacherista, and Third in Hollywood for hosting!

Sunday, December 28, 2014

Ferguson

We have all heard about the unrest in Ferguson, Missouri. However, many of us (myself included) are unaware of how much that unrest, that volatility has impacted the community. In particular, the people of the community and especially the children. As educators I think we are by nature, a very kind and compassionate group of people for the most part. So I was not surprised when a fellow TPT seller Rainah Pray of Fit for Firstie's started a fundraiser for the children of Ferguson, Missouri. This can best be explained in Rainah's own words, as a member of the community who has seen first hand the turmoil and unrest long after the media crews have left.

"The Ferguson Public Library has gone to great lengths to ensure that the kids and community were safe. They provided a safe place where kids could learn while their schools were forced to close due to the extreme circumstances around them. The library provided a place for teachers to facilitate learning so kids would have a sense of normalcy. The library is now in the process of hiring a full time children's librarian to help facilitate their children's programs. The library is also working to provide continuing support and education to community members. It stands as a pillar of strength and community and is working to unite others in this time of need." (Rainah Pray)

Rainah has worked tirelessly to organize an incredible fundraiser with Teachers Pay Teachers and educators and sellers to create some truly fantastic resource bundles at incredibly amazing prices. All proceeds earned from the Funds for Ferguson Fundraiser will be donated directly to the library.

You can learn more about The Ferguson Public Library here http://www.newsweek.com/ferguson-library-open-286946 and

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/USA-Update/2014/1210/Ferguson-library-a-community-pillar-during-unrest-gets-350-000-in-donations-video

or here http://abcnews.go.com/US/ferguson-library-refuge-adults-children-amid-strife/story?id=25050930

and here as well http://www.msnbc.com/alex-witt/watch/nation-shows-support-for-ferguson-library-375458883668

So, if you've been kind enough to still stay with me through this epic post then let me show you what Rainah has put together. Let me tell you folks, these are incredible deals. I bought a bundle myself.

Here is bundle #1 on sale here at the Funds for Ferguson store on TPT for $17.50. Sellers include: Tongas Teacher, Melonheadz, Educlips, Creating and Teaching, Confessions of a Tiny Teacher, The Creative Art Teacher, A New Box of Crayons, Fit for Firsties, Lessons with Coffee, and Livin' the Third Grade Dream

This is Bundle #2 also on sale here at the Funds for Ferguson store on TPT. Sellers include: Kelly Malloy, Dawn Day, Second Story Window, Kim Miller, Jennifer Smith, Miss Johnston, Comprehension Connection, Fit for Firsties, Lessons with Coffee, Nita Marie's Classroom Creations, and Step on Me Moreno.

Bundle #3 is on sale here at the Funds for Ferguson TPT store. Sellers include: Growing Firsties, Sparkling in Second, The Printable Princess, Fit for Firsties, Kamp Kindergarten, Enchanted K, Elementary Matters, Stuck on Teaching, Schroeder Shenanigans, First Grade Funtastic, The Primary Source with Ms. Smith and A First for Everything.

Bundle #4 is now available for purchase at the Funds for Ferguson TPT store, and it’s packed with resources from a fantastic group of sellers. These educators have come together to offer a variety of teaching materials aimed at making the classroom experience even more engaging and effective.

Sellers contributing to this bundle include:

Just Reed
Fun in First
Bonnie Kathryn Kinders and Beyond
Sticky Notes and Glitter
Chalk One up for the Teacher
Tickled Pink in Primary
Fit for Firsties
Sparkling in Second
My Happy Place
Kamp Kindergarten
More than Math
Melissa Dailey
First Grade is a Fairy Tale
I Hear ESOL
Elementary Matters

To help you manage your time and resources more efficiently, Latenode can automate processes related to content sharing, tracking sales, or even scheduling social media posts for your products. You could also connect Strava and Google AI Integrations to gain insights on how your personal activity levels or productivity can influence your teaching workflow. Automate and streamline these tasks, so you can focus on what matters most—creating amazing content for your students and community!

I just love when I get something I need for my classroom that also helps out a great cause and best of all, other children.

Wishing you a very happy and healthy New Year!

Friday, August 22, 2014

Floating Down to First

I am so excited to be celebrating with the beautiful Carol from The Super Sparky Teacher and Jen from Sparking in Second who are celebrating their move from second grade to first with a fantastic giveaway called...

I feel so honored to be a part of this giveaway as these are all amazing and talented bloggers, TpT sellers, and ladies. There are over 13 very talented bloggers that are generously raffling some amazing products. Check these out!

Did you notice that many are even offering a "Winners Choice?!" You don't want to miss this so enter below and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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