July, 2014 | The Angel Forever

Monthly Archives July 2014

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The Great 2014 School Supply Lists

Posted on July 31, 2014 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Each year it has become a tradition to share what our school supply lists are and to see how they compare to others in other locations. As a teacher, I loved this time of year when I could get bargains for my classrooms. As a parent, I try to save when I can, but it is often more important to grab things when they are in stock so there is no stress later on. JSL’s second grade supply list came home with his report card at the end of June. While I waited to see if the middle school would post the new 2014-2015 list, it never showed up. This week I called and asked if I could get it sent to me so I could get started on shopping. The photo below are most, but not all of the items that JSL needs for second grade. I have not started to gather things for my middle schooler (still hard to say that), but will shortly.

2nd Grade Supply List

One plastic folder with pockets (for take-home)
4 pocket folders (1 blue, 1 yellow, 1 green, 1 purple)
Pencils (3 packages, sharpened, Ticonderoga)
2 erasers
1 box of 24 crayons
2 packages of 4 Expo or Dry Erase markers
1 pair of school scissors
2 glue sticks
2 hard cover marble notebooks (1 black, 1 red)
1 zippered soft pencil case
2 boxes of Kleenex
1 package of baby wipes (unscented) refills
1 large roll of paper towels
Ziploc sandwich bags (gallon size for boys, sandwich size for girls)
2 packs of Post-Its (3×3 for boys, 2×2 for girls)
Money for Time for Kids magazine

Seems pretty standard and to compare it to what NHL needed four years ago, you can see his list here.

Now please hold me. There may have been tears when I saw the 6th grade supply list. I have a feeling this is not complete because they may need items for classes like music and art. I guess we will know more in September.

6th Grade Supply List

Reading

200 index cards
loose-leaf paper
Post-It notes
1 blue folder
2 single subject blue notebooks
blue, green, and yellow highlighter
3 required reading books (Very interesting titles that are all fiction)

Science

1 green folder
1 hard cover green marble notebook
ruler
pencils only
loose-leaf paper
roll of Scotch Tape
pack of baby wipes

Social Studies

1 red folder
loose-leaf paper
1 single subject red notebook
colored pencils

Writing

Index cards
pencils
2 hard cover yellow marble notebooks
1 yellow folder
high lighter
Post-Its

Math

folder
loose-leaf paper
1 marble black composition notebooks
pencils

In addition to this it mentions a 2-3” binder, flash/jump drive 4 GB, 3 boxes of tissues, homework folder, lots of pencils, pens, dividers for binder, and 2 pocket hole punched folders for each subject in the colors mentioned.

Did I mention I am ready to cry? It isn’t because of the list, no definitely not that. As a middle school teacher in the past it seems reasonable. I am just reminded that my kiddo is a middle schooler and ready or not it is coming our way.

So what items are on your school supply lists? Have you found any really great sales this year? Please share below. As I have said before, I really am a school supply geek.

Categories:
school shopping

Three Fiber Arts Apps for Android

Posted on July 28, 2014 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

A long time ago, I was an elementary school girl learning how to knit on a neighbor’s front porch. In between riding my bike with the kids, several of us used to sit on rocking chairs and knit together. Knitting has always been a passion, but I secretly craved picking up a hook to ease the pain that knitting caused in my wrists.

Last year, I finally taught myself how to crochet using several YouTube videos. Prior to this, I was not very successful with crochet because books just did not cut it. There is just something wonderful about being able to see a person showing the way to work a pattern up with yarn. I am also able to pause it and rewind to see a section over and over until I am successful.

Over the last year, I have often used my android smartphones to keep up on my fiber arts. I can share photos of my creations, ask questions on Facebook groups, and explore new apps that will help my new love for crochet. While there are a lot of apps out there for people that knit and crochet, several of popular ones from yarn companies are only available for iOS. Thanks to this, I was not able to test them out using my beloved Samsung Galaxy S5. While I have an iPad, I utilize my smartphone a lot more when out and about and shopping for craft items and working on a project. The Crochet Crowd App is a favorite of mine. Mikey and the entire Crochet Crowd community were part of the reason that I have been successful with my crocheting adventure. This app does a wonderful job of combining all parts of The Crochet Crowd together. You can:

see the latest posts on The Crochet Crowd Facebook page
view the amazing collection YouTube tutorials
check out the latest crochet challenge
view photos of gorgeous creations from other hookers
use the yarn calculator to assist with an upcoming project
head to The Crochet Crowd website
read the latest on Mikey’s blog
look for patterns
learn how to crochet

Of course, there is much more to explore on the app. It really is a wealth of information for the new, intermediate, or even advanced crocheter. I know I have my eye on the latest Mystery crochet along that was just revealed and would be a new experience for me to try. Michaels Stores also have an app for Android users. I found this one after I was a bit underwhelmed by another craft stores app. The Michaels Stores contains a lot of items packed all into one resource. You will find:

the Michaels Stores weekly ad
coupons for your local Michaels Store
projects that are not limited to yarn and needle crafts (baking, painting, home décor, kids crafts, and a lot more)
product listings by craft type
videos will be coming
a place to store the project you like
listing of events at your local Michaels Store

There is a lot more within the app. What I adore is that I can quickly get coupons when I am going to the store to pick up items. If I am looking for a new idea to craft, I can save a project that I like. Later on, I can go back in and find what I need to purchase, along with the project instructions. Another fun feature, I can check the weekly sales and just skip right to the yarn brands. A lot of thought was put into this app and it is great for a fiber arts enthusiast on the go. Knitting Patterns Database is an app that combines tools from many other knitting apps into one location. Within this app you can:

store PDF patterns
download patterns from locations like Ravelry (you must sign into those)
import patterns
use their row counter
find a calculator to help with yarn substitutions and more

This app is new to me and I plan on exploring it more this summer as I finish up my latest crochet project. I know I will be able to use it for future knitting works, but there is a way to utilize it for my crochet work as well. What apps have you used for knitting, crocheting, or other crafting? I would love to know so I can add them to my growing collection. Be sure to check out my latest crafting fun by following along on Instagram.

Disclosure: As a member of the Verizon Lifestyle Bloggers, I receive devices like the Samsung Galaxy S5 to test out and share ways that I use it in my life. I am a long time Verizon customer, and all opinions are my own.

Categories:
arts and crafts crocheting knitting Technology

Pausing for Surgery

Posted on July 22, 2014 10:44 am by TheAngelForever

The last few days have been a whirlwind of activity. The weekend was spent getting things done and ready for Monday. Monday was the day that TechyDad would be having surgery. This is surgery that he should have had done before we met, but the day before they said it would not be covered.

After suffering for many years, I got TechyDad to head to the ENT to follow up on his breathing troubles. When he saw the doctor she immediately ordered a CAT scan (you can see the pictures on the post here). The scan of his nose told a story. It was a story of one nostril being blocked. His deviated septum was caused by a concha bullosa. Basically another sinus cavity tried to form in a turbinate of his nose. So on Monday, that would be removed, his septum fixed, and turbinates that had not been fixed in the past done.

Monday morning we rushed to get the boys ready for their days. JSL was heading off to a friend to go to camp and hang out with them afterward. NHL spent the day with Mimi. TechyDad had to be at the hospital at 8:10 for his 10:10 surgery. To make a long story short, the surgery started late, which added to anxiety. As you can see above, TechyDad was using his phone to take selfies and entertain himself. Almost an hour late, the ENT came into meet with us and go over things.

I went out into the waiting area and tried to read. I was too tired to eat and was afraid to miss the surgeon after an hour and a half had gone by. Two hours after TechyDad was wheeled into the OR, the surgeon came to see me. Everything had gone well. The concha bullosa was easier to remove than expected. He was upset when they woke him up, but she thought he would do great. A lot of the rest was a blur. I was so tired, hungry (it was after 1 and I had not eaten), and relieved to hear that he was out. I went to get something to eat and let everyone know what was happening.

Two hours later when I got back from picking up JSL and bringing him to be with NHL, I was able to see TechyDad. His coloring was bad and he looked miserable. He got up to walk and was dizzy and exhausted. When he got back, we changed his bandage under the nose and he went to sleep. They wanted to send him home, but it was just too much at that point. The nurses were fantastic and helped to go over everything with me, got him popsicles to help with his sore throat, and at about 5:30 TechyDad felt strong enough to go home.

If I am MIA the next few days, I am off taking care of all of the boys. It’s odd how you can take your spouse for granted until a time like this. TechyDad cooks for us and does a lot of the bedtime/shower routine with the kids. A huge thank you to everyone who helped out yesterday and kept TechyDad in their thoughts and prayers. It was a relief knowing the boys were happy and safe so they didn’t have to worry about things during the surgery. A special thank you to Nana for making sure we all had dinner last night so we could get some rest.

Categories:
sickness TechyDad

Water Disney Style

Posted on July 16, 2014 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Water features are prominent throughout Walt Disney World Resorts and Parks. It is always fun to look back at magical memories to see the attention to detail with different water elements. Some of these are beaches, pools, rides, and other attractions. You just never know what you may find when experiencing the wonder of Disney. What is your favorite item featuring water in the world of Disney?

What is your favorite place to stop and look at it from a different perspective? Be sure to stop by Focused on the Magic by clicking on the button above to join in the Disney magic this week.

Categories:
Disney travel vacation

Tuesday Tales: New 2014 Summer Reading Selections

Posted on July 15, 2014 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Over the 4th of July weekend, the boys received a gift from a cousin. It was a gift card to the book store and she told them they had to use it for books. This weekend, the boys begged to head to the store to select a special book of their own choosing. They kept to the wishes of Cousin A and went right to the books. We spent a LONG time looking at different options. NHL quickly found several books that were interesting and had to narrow it down. JSL was a bit more tricky. In the end, they each selected new to them book series to read.

NHL selected the first of the How to Train Your Dragon books by Cressida Cowell. JSL finally decided on Bad Kitty Meets the Baby from the Bad Kitty Series by Nick Bruel. Both of the boys started reading the books on the way home from our outing. What I never expected was JSL’s nose to be in the book at almost any chance he got. As soon as he woke up, he would run to the couch to read more about Bad Kitty. While we had roof work done on Sunday morning, he pulled out a chair and read. Before we knew it, JSL was finished with the 141 page book and begging for more.

The best news, thanks to the summer reading program at Barnes & Noble both of the boys can work toward another book in their series. Did I mention JSL had already read way more than the eight books that are required? He wants to go back to get his reward now.

Are you or your children Bad Kitty or How to Train Your Dragon books? As always, Tuesday Tales is all about sharing our love of books. Please let me know what you have read recently. Be sure to link up to your book posts in the comments below. Include something you read on your own, with a child, or someone else.