Snowy Sunday Sayings.

Hello Lovelies,

Well it is quite the snownami outside in good ole St. Lou! I believe there is something like a foot of snow outside. Brr is an understatement. The good news is that all the teachers and munchkins will be safe and sound at home tomorrow throughout most of the city! I do enjoy a nice snow day!

 Ladybug!

Since we are all trying to get back in the swing of things, especially me on this little ole blog, I thought a nice Sunday Sayings would be a great way to get back into the groove of things!

peace and blessings,

kjo

Pink Obsessed.

Hello Lovelies,

THANK GOODNESS for lazy Saturdays, and today has been the laziest of them all.
Last night I got together with some friends to watch the Mizzou game and although Mizzou ended up winning it was difficult to be excited after Alabama's defeat the night before. Oh well, Roll Tide! This morning it was difficult to get going but once I smelled the Blueberry Sunrise coffee brewing I was ready to get rolling.  Apparently, a Snownami is on its way to the Lou this evening so I decided to make sure I had the essentials in my kitchen( coffee creamer, diet coke, and alcohol) I was missing a few of the essentials and made my trek to the local supermarket along with everyone else in the city. It was an adventure to say the least. The weather is still pretty mild right now so I cleaned ladybug out a little bit and took out the trash. Now, I am all ready for the Snownami, or whatever it will be.

Growing up I always had a vanity in my bedroom and it is something I have dearly missed in my getting ready routine.  I was excited when in early November my mom said she had found the perfect vanity for my apartment and that it just so happened to pink! It was ready and delivered while I was gone for Christmas and now that I am back at my apartment I have to admit, IT IS AWESOME. I love having all of my essentials right at my fingertips when I am getting ready. I also feel like some sort of old Hollywood celebrity when I am getting ready. It is so great!

What is the key part of making your getting ready routine a breeze?

Peace and Blessings,

kjo

Here it is in all of its chic glory!

It's off to work and SCHOOL we go...

Hello Lovelies,

Today, was the first day back from Christmas Break 2013 and although I was not expecting a normal day by any means it was quite the day.  First off I should mention that we were supposed to go back to school on the Second however we got 4 inches of snow causing us to have our first SNOW DAY of the year. I only had five of my thirteen munchkins and that was one of the biggest bunches in the school.  I had to to do some quick, on my feet thinking about how to restructure our day without causing too much chaos.

We were supposed to begin implementing Whole Brain Teaching techniques today and I gradually laid the framework for the munchkins that were in attendance. It thankfully went very well. I decided to push back our New Year, New ME activities until more of the students were in attendance. Thankfully I have a small arsenal of animated book writing activities and coloring sheets to keep us occupied. We were also fortunate enough to join the rest of our elementary cohorts in an afternoon movie and buddy reading session which made out afternoon a breeze. I am sure blessed with the best coworkers ever!

On another note it is ABSOLUTELY freezing in St. Louis, not only is there a ton of snow on the ground and the forecast only calls for me. It is frigid and I am not a fan! Maybe it is time to head back down South (haha don't get your hopes to high)

How are you handling the winter weather in your area?

Peace and Blessings,

kjo

Pop, Fizz, Clink. Happy New Year 2014

Hello Lovelies,

Before I get to far into my New Year, New ME speech, seriously where did 2013 go? It seems like just yesterday I was graduating from Spring Hill and we are slowly approaching the TWO year anniversary of my departure from the Hill. The year 2013 brought so many lessons and blessing to my life.  I got my first teaching job, teaching the sweet Migrant kiddos and had a blast everyday. I made friends with an awesome Ginger who became my partner in crime and got me obsessed with One Direction. We are pretty much soul mates. I was in not one but TWO weddings! I had the privilege of standing beside two of my best friends as they married the men of their dreams.  It was awesome .  I became a certified barista (hilarious, let me tell you). I almost gave up on my dreams of being an inner-city teacher or really a teacher at all, but then I became a Tiger.  Teaching at MHT has definitely been the most challenging experience of my life, but everyday I feel blessed to be given the challenge of my munchkins. They are spectacular little humans who need unconditional love and support. As much as I give everyday, I get a lot in return. Some days I get more than others but its those sweet hugs and smiles that make an awful, no good, rotten day better.  I also lucked out in the co-worker department, my fellow Tigers make work a pleasant experience, if not a party everyday. With my job at MHT came a move to the big ole city of St. Louis.  I have learned a lot about being a grown up and growing up at the end of 2013 and I have to say it is quite the pleasant surprise.  I began working with the crazy Holy crew towards the end of 2013 and I have to say I look forward to our Thursday night meetings.  They are a great group of teens and adults, and I am blessed to be apart of it.  So all in all 2013 was a pretty great year for a Pearl Kind of Girl. Here is to hoping that 2014 is filled with even more love, laughs and hilarity than 2013. (It seems to be starting that way, my NYE was quite comical)

Are you ready for what 2014 has in store for YOU?

Peace and Blessings,

kjo

Shhh..... The Wheels are Turning

Hey There Friends,



Big things are coming to the blog soon. I promise.  I've got the good stuff coming.


Peace and Blessings,

kjo

#Bakerpartyoftwo

      OH MY GOODNESS! Bachelorette weekend was an absolute success! A HUGE HUGE HUGE thank you needs to go out to good old Bieber Fever for being the BEST Maid of Honor the Future Mrs. Baker could ask for! Y'all I had never been to Nashville, TN to party it up and let me tell you... I cannot wait to go back! We seriously had a blast and ALL TWELVE girls got along and had a ball! Broadway was so MUCH fun!
    
      We started the evening out witha few cocktails and presents in our hotel room, then we made our way to The HardRock Cafe for dinner! While we were there we were serenaded by an "up and coming" singer song writer, named Pat Bruce. We are not for sure if he is the real deal or not because he told each of us conflicting career stories but if you're interested his Twitter is @IamPatBruce.  From the HardRock we ventured to the Tequila Cowboy which used to be called Cadillac Ranch. It was so awesome, there was a part for everyone -- Karoke, mechanical bull riding, sitting and chilling, and dancing. It was definitely a great experience.  We moved from there to Legends Corner and heard the fantastic Cody Shrader.. he was excellent.  He played one of the best versions of Rocky Top I have ever heard and lets get real I do not care for Volunteer anything.

   We made our way back to Tequila Cowboy and met some new male friends, one of whom I declare to by my soulmate. He kept referring to the North as the Union and he knew where SIU was.  Sadly, I did not get his name or number in our rush to head to the famous Coyote Ugly.  What kind of Bachelorette Party would be on if we did not visit Coyote Ugly? While we were there we had a fun time and ran into some friends from high school.  What a small world.  We then turned in for the night and got some much needed shut eye!

   Overall, it was an absolutely fantastic weekend and many memories were made with some of my oldest and greatest friends! We always have the best time together and I am so excited for #Bakerpartyoftwo's big day to be here!

Photo Dump to follow!

Peace and Blessings,

kjo

Back in Action and Feeling Blessed

I know it i has been quite sometime since I wrote in this little bloggy but I thinnk it is time to get back in action as many exciting events are going on in my life.  So lets bring y'all up to speed on what has been going on over here at a Pearl Kind of Girl!

1. Two of my best friends are getting married this summer!!!! The emotions and excitement going on in my head are unreal! I am so incredibly happy that they are marrying the loves of their lives and that I get to be a part of such a special event. With that being said this weekend is the Future Mrs. Baker's Bachelorette party and I am out of control excited!

2. I am nearing the end of my first week of teaching full time.  I am teaching Kingergarten through Third Grade Migrant Education Program this summer.  It is exhilerating and exhausting all at once.  While the kids are younger than what I normally work with it is not only a blast but also very rewarding.  These sweet kids have a bit of a rough go of school because their families travel alot for work so these types of programs are important.  My body certainly forgot what teaching full time feels like and it calls me to sleep at 9:30 pm most nights. #oldielockstatus

3. I have finished the first two days of Ease into 5K and I am dying, but I feel like it will be well worth it in the end.  I would not normally post so early about it but maybe this will keep me accountable!

I think that is all that is going on right now of importance!  I will be back with a post detailing my first week and the party this weekend soon!

What are y'all doing this summer?

Peace and Blessings,

kjo