Meet My Sister AKA Cancer Butt Kicker!

My sister, Sam, found out this past summer (2017) that she had a brain tumor. It was unexpected and this is the second time she was told this news. 

When she was 9 years old she was told she had a brain tumor as well. She had that tumor removed and she's been doing great for 20 years and then found out that she has another brain tumor. 

In her usual Sam-way (this term refers to her being strong-willed, stubborn and a true fighter) she faced the problem right away. She scheduled surgery and had the tumor removed. She then went through months of radiation, and physical therapy. While she still does not have sight on her right side and her radiation is done, but now flaring (evidently, this means that there is lots of swelling) she continues to be inspiring. She works for Emory and they allow her to come into the office twice a week and work the other days from home. She is not able to drive, because of the loss of vision and takes uber on the days when she goes in to the office. She also has started making necklaces to help with her fine motor skills.

I wanted to share her story with you all and her Etsy store. 

Her Etsy store is called CancerWarriorChic

She is also on instagram.

She has a variety of necklaces with Chakra stones. 

Some of my favorites are the Rose Quartz, Carnelian, Blue Agate, Phantom Quartz and Unicorn Quartz.

New Year, Now What?

Now that we are back at school, it's time to get back to the fun stuff!

The first week back we started with the Imagination Stations. Stations are the students' favorite thing in the media center. Each week when I announce that we are having stations this week they actually cheer. The sad part is that this works the same on weeks when I have a lesson. When I announce that we are not having stations for that week there is an audible groan. Ha!

I used a video to introduce the stations to students in August. 

I usually give directions and act things out with students in grades K-2.

So, this was the first week that I introduced stations to kindergarten. I had so many directions to give them about where stations are located and where they can go once they get their station tub and how to make their choice on the chart, but they did an exceptional job of listening and understanding how it all works. 

This week I also reintroduced OverDrive to students in 3rd-5th and introduced it to 1st and 2nd for the first time. 

OverDrive is a platform that students use to check ebooks out to read and enjoy. This week I addressed how to search for books when you don't know what you want to read. Many students will search for Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Dork Diaries. If those are already checked out they give up and say that everything is already checked out. So, this week we looked at the home page and discussed how to use the categories to search for things that you are intereste. We also discussed how to just click "view more" to see more on the homepage on the topics that are already there like Most Popular or New Additions. Students seemed to appreciate this information and understand how to use the platform more easily.

We also discussed the three types of books available on OverDrive.

1. Ebooks- just a regular ebook with text that students click to turn pages and read themselves.

2. Audio Books- audio books are books for listening only. They do not have pictures or words for students to read.

3. Read Along Stories- These books show the pages and pictures as well as narration.

Overall, it was a successful week back at school.

This week looks more like this:

Christmas Product Review!

So, I decided I'd like to do a post to review some of my newly acquired goodies I received (or bought myself) for Christmas. Warning: many of these items will not be directly related to teaching and you may learn that I am an even bigger nerd than you originally thought!


I will try to put my amazon affiliate link for products that were purchased or found on amazon, you can click the pictures to find them on amazon when available.

I got my husband a Nintendo Switch, but to be honest, I've been playing it like crazy. We used the trade in program at GameStop to get our Switch. We traded in our Nintendo Wii, remotes, games, etc.

I really enjoy the game Stardew Valley, where you are on a farm and have to work to build up your farm and complete challenges. This is also available for Xbox and Playstation 4. The creator of the game is always working on new game content and has almost completed some adjustments to make it multiplayer. (I follow the creator, Concerned Ape on Twitter).  I love that with the Switch I can play with it connected to the TV, but if someone needs to use the TV you can then take it off the stand and play on the smaller screen that is on the Switch itself. It basically combines all the joys of a bigger gaming device like the Wii or Xbox with the convenience of a DS. You can play in the bed, in the car, outside, etc. The multiplayer use is also fun. My husband and I have enjoyed playing Portal Knights together in the multiplayer mode and Mario Kart. I'm super excited to see that lots of games are schedule to come out in 2018 including Toe Jam and Earl!

So, I know many of you probably bought a Switch for you child. I am going to suggest that you take some time to play a game on it, you may actually like it!

If you do have a Switch or your child does, I highly recommend getting a screen protector. 

I am loving my warm comfy Columbia jacket. Amazon has lots of colors. My husband bought me the the Nocturnal color. Nocturnal is in between purple, gray,  and navy blue. 

During Black Friday I was able to grab up the JBL 3. I like have a speaker that my Alexa dot can hook up to automatically (after you've done it once, she remembers and does it each time). I have an older version at work the JBL 2+ and honestly, I haven't noticed much of a difference between the two. So, if you find an older version on sale, I think you would be fine and enjoy it just the same.

I use mine to listen to music while cleaning or listen to an audio book.

The one thing I do like about my new one is that I bought the teal version. :) 

My sister got the Alexa dot for me last Christmas. I use my Alexa dot to tell me about the weather, set timers while cooking and play music. Do you have one? What do you use it for?

I already have a Fit Bit Blaze, but I went ahead and bought my husband one for Christmas. He is one of those people that if they already have a watch even if it is 5 years old and barely fits, feel that they don't need a new one if the old one works. 

I like that I was able to use the app to set alarms for my watch to vibrate at specific times each day. I have it vibrate about 3 minutes before my classes are picked up by their teachers. This gives me time to have them stand, push chairs in, get the library books and line up. 

I also like that it counts by steps, etc. and I appreciate that it alerts me when I have phone calls and text messages. I will warn you that the Fit Bit Blaze does not allow you to text back or answer phone calls like the apple watch does. I don't have a problem with using my phone to respond to messages or phone calls, but if that's something you want to be able to do then you'll need to go with the apple watch.

If you have one, I suggest that you get the screen protector. 

I have completely converted from the rubber band type hairbands to elastic hair ties. 

I ordered myself some basic black ones for the new year and I was not disappointed.

They do not damage or snag your hair while you are wearing them.

 We decided to get an amazon fire stick for the TV in the bedroom. I love it! It is so easy to use to get to Netflix and Amazon Prime! Love it! 

I recently enjoyed watching The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel on Amazon Prime. It won Best Comedy TV Series and Best Actress in Comedy TV Series at the Global Globes. 

I was pleased with the Netflix Original movie Bright with Will Smith.

I bought myself this purse for Christmas after seeing my sister's in blue. I bought the gray. I like how it folds over on the top. 

This was a great purchase. I needed a new lunch box and it's hard to tell the size of the lunch box when you purchase online, but this one did not disappoint. I can put a water bottle as well as pyrex lunch containers and sting cheese all in this lunch box without issue. There are many colors and designs for the lunch box.

I received and enjoyed both of the following books. I always enjoy a good fantasy.

My husband and I enjoy playing board games during our Christmas Break. Our new favorite game is Bears vs. Babies. This game is by the same creator as Exploding Kittens.

My sister gave me a wonderful sleep mask. You can heat it up or put it in the freezer to cool it off before wearing it. I prefer the cooled version, but you may like it warm. When I wear my sleep mask I feel that I am truly pampering myself. This was a terrific gift. Something you may not buy for yourself, but is something that you will use and enjoy.



What are some of your thoughts on your Christmas gifts?