I am practicing writing my blog and figuring out how to add bullets.

• IS this corect
  
• I dont know how to skip lines

New Page...

Welp, after applying for at least 50 jobs all over Middle Tennessee and still hearing nothing, I have accepted a job as a temporary copywriter for Shoes.com. A good friend brought up my name when they were talking about hiring someone to help her out for the Fall season. I sent them my resume and the lady who was doing the hiring called me. We talked for like 30 minutes about the details of the job and the next day she called and offered me the position. I was a little hesitant, but had kind of given up on hope for a teaching position and decided it is great to have something to last a little while at least. The job runs from the end of July to the end of September. This could go one of two ways (in my head at least): Situation #1: When this job is over I will substitute teach in Wilson County, be able to have time off for the wedding, and then prayyyyy for an interim teaching position in December, that will lead to finally getting an actual position the following Fall. Situation #2: I'll be the best darn temp they have ever had and they will love me so much that a spot will come open to work there permanently and my whole career path will change direction. Or maybe it will play out way differently than I can imagine. Either way, I am headed to Wilson County tonight to stay with friends for the end of this week until I either find an apartment or someone who will house me until wedding time. Those of you who have been praying for me, send up a prayer to strengthen my faith in knowing the Lord will provide. I know He will, but worry anyway. I stress about um... everything these days! So, here's to the end of sleeping in and laying by the pool on weekdays and the beginning of figuring out what to do with my life :) -Miss Land

Trying to keep this up

I'm still alive ... I swear.

Ok, I got out of the blogging habit when I didn't have internet at my apartment for a while, but I am ready to get back into it! I love to write and it makes me feel really awesome when people tell me they actually read this thing! So here's an update: 1. Wedding is FOUR months away. I'm so ready for it to be here already!!! Most of the big things are taken care of, and now it's time to do the boring little things. 2. I am currently living with my Aunt Kim and her family. I am super thankful that they are so welcoming and let me just come on in without any notice. Not sure how long I will be here all of that kind of depends on the job search. Which brings me to ... 3. I have applied for jobs in Wilson County and every county that touches it and haven't gotten ONE SINGLE CALL for an interview. I have remained fairly positive that I will get a job... until today. I don't understand what I've got to do to get someone to pay attention to me! I have a great resume, and I am the best darn teacher these people are going to find. So what is the deal?? I have emailed every principal in Wilson County and I only got a reply from three. They all said the same thing, "We have no available positions, but will keep you in mind if any come open". That's the equivalent of going on a miserable date and the guy saying "Hey, I'll give you a call sometime." Not gonna happen. I know the Lord will provide, but I feel like there is something I should be doing to make this happen. So anyways, that's the skinny. I'm working on one big fat post to sum up the events in the last year that have put me in a blog-funk, but I get overwhelmed and just keep thinking I'll do it some other time. Thanks to all of you faithful friends who keep encouraging me :) And if you have any awesome advice, please feel free to comment! I need all I can get!

iPad... yay!!!

Just this week, a flat-screen TV was installed in my classroom. I also now have appleTV, which means that ANYTHING I can do on a computer, I can project onto my TV screen. Way cool! I'm almost overwhelmed with the possibilities of what I can do with it. So far, I've used it for a white board and showing videos. But I know there is a TON more that can be done, I'm just trying to figure it all out. If anyone has any way cool ideas, please comment! The possibilities are endless!

Yay for technology in the classroom!

My New Year Goal: Taking control of my money

My New Year Goal* this year: Take control of my money

*Notice I say goal, not resolution. NOBODY keeps a resolution. Calling it a resolution sets it up for failure. This is a goal. It's something I have wanted to do for a while and January seemed like a great time to start.

First of all, know that I grew up with parents who were HORRIBLE with money. I never had a shining example to teach me. I'm clueless and learning as I go. I am also horrible at math and so far from being an accountant it's laughable. If I can do this, ANYONE can.

One year ago, I read a Dave Ramsey book and was inspired to make sure that I have control of every penny I make. At the time, I did not have a job and wasn't in the right place in life to start this. My main goal was just to pay my bills and have enough money for rent.

Now that I have a steady income, this is the perfect time to start the good ol' envelope system! It is SO simple and so far, has really shown me where my money goes and what things can be eliminated.

I've never been a good budget maker/keeper but so far, this has been successful and kind of fun!

First I printed this envelope template: http://www.todaysnest.typepad.com/todays-nest/2010/09/todays-money-budgeting-with-cash-envelopes.html

I traced the template on pretty scrapbooking paper that I had laying around and came up with these beauties! (Please ignore the shotty photograpy... not getting along too well with Mr. Droid these days.)

The second thing that I did was make a list of every single bill that I have per month. That is the amount that I put into my checking account. So the only money left in my checking account is the total amount to pay my bills, plus a $50 cushion in case I miscalculate.

Next, I made a list of money I would spend before the next paycheck that was not a bill. This list included:

Hair appointment - $28

Groceries (For me, this includes food, toiletries, basically anything I can buy at Walmart) - $100

Gas - $40

Eating out/Entertainment - $50

Oil change - $38


I have now calculated every penny that I would spend until the next paycheck. So I took my total paycheck, subtracted bills and immediately put that amount in checking. Then I had the bank give me cash for the amount that I would spend on things other than bills. After that there was around $250 left. So that went straight into savings.

When I have tell people about my new system, they always say, "I would do that, but I don't like the idea of carrying cash with me. What if I lose my wallet or it's stolen?" Well DUH, don't carry it all with you! Keep it in a safe place at home until you need it. No one will break into your house and steal it, either, as long as you find a place that makes absolutely no sense to keep money. Don't put it in your freezer, under your mattress, or anywhere that obvious.

I am two weeks into this system now, and LOVING it! It's a fun challenge to only spend the amount in the envelope. And it's painful to take money out of the wedding envelope. This makes my saving a much more tangible thing, when I can actually see the money being taken out of that envelope.

Also, keep it mind, it's a godly thing to be good with your money. Google verses dealing with money. There are tons. My next paycheck I will work tithing into the budget as well. Shame on me for letting it slip this time!

I hope by showing you just how easy this system is, you will be motivated to take charge of your money! You work hard for it, don't blow it by not having a budget, because you WILL spend more than you think on dumb stuff if you don't have a plan! You can do it!





P.S.... If you read this blog, or even if this is your first visit, please click the follow button! It's encouraging to have followers and right now, I only have 17... I know that more people are reading and I want to know who you are!

P.S.S.... Don't be afraid to comment here and there either. Also, super encouraging.

Thanks! You all are fabulous!

-Miss Land

Just a little something I whipped up...

We have been working on commas and I have the hardest time finding resources that I like for teaching commas. So, like I do with everything, I made my own.

I typed up my own cute little list of comma rules that we have learned. To all of my teacher friends, feel free to print/copy/use it if you think it will be helpful :)

Here is the link to the google doc version (the original is a .doc, so it has changed a little):

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CSO6ix4X0-EcHHFchXXZ7M_OoO_h4lkrBYNFWa4gvMI/edit