I'VE GOT JOBS!

Hey y'all! It's a happy day where I'm at! I received a call from a local school... where my 7th grade math teacher is now the principal... asking if I wanted to sub! Wahooo! I am so excited that this is where I'll be doing my FIRST subbing jobs!

One will be in first grade and the other in fifth grade. I absolutely HAD to take a picture of the calendars where they're scheduled because I hadn't seen anything on this calendar until now! I am so, so happy and I absolutely LOVE the way things are turning out.

My name is Sara Ventrella and I am now officially a big girl! ;)

I've also won a TOOOON of giveaways that I am excited about... some gift cards, ad spaces, birthday party packs, and so forth. But not only am I happy about winning, I'm happy I'm meeting some AMAZING women. These women are all sincere, funny, honest, and real. They don't care what other people think of them, or of what they write, and I admire them all for that. You all know who you are :) I'm super happy I ventured out into the blogging world beyond education blogs (not that I don't love all my teacher friends I've met on here) and I cannot wait to meet more people as time goes on!

I'm going to leave you with some quotes that describe how I'm feeling <3

BINGO tonight! Have a good day, y'all :)

Craft Swap & Guest Blogging???

I'm participating in a craft swap called I Made It For You (Handmade Craft Swap)! I think you should go join, too :) you'll love it as much as me! I also added a Guest Blogging page above ^^ fill out the form if you'd like to guest blog... I'd absolutely LOOOOOVE to have you :)
Have a good day, y'all!

9 Loves & Me, Myself, & I

Linking up with the 10 Day You Challenge with Lauren @ Life.Love.Lauren and Tiffany @ Austin Family Diary.

1. I love my family. Without them, I wouldn't be where I am. They are my biggest supporters and my best friends. They are also my shoulders to cry on when things get rough, the people that put a smile on my face when I don't want to smile, and the three people that will always be there for me, no matter what.

2. I love babe. This boy has stuck by my side through thick and thin. He's been there through the good and the bad, the pretty and the ugly. He understands my quirks and loves me anyways. Although we're not always "on good terms," we still love each other to the bone and I don't see myself with anyone else ever! 

3. I love baby boy. Although most days he is a wild child, I absolutely love him. He's made my sad days better and is the best cuddle buddy I've ever had. I love that he picked me at the shelter and I'm so happy he did!

"Hi, take me home!"

4. I love my Apples. You will never (hardly ever.. anyways) see me without my iPad, Mac, or iPhone in tow. These three things are how I survive. I'm constantly texting babe, using the computer to stalk check out my fav blogs, and my iPad to read!

5. I love sweets. I could eat candy, cupcakes, cake, and other sweets ALL. DAY. LONG. I know it's bad... but I have a terrible sweet tooth and I hate all veggies and fruits except for a few. You'll never catch me in my house without having a sweet somewhere near. I absolutely LOVE anything in white chocolate - want to get on my good side? There's the best way to do it!

6. I love TV. I don't have just one favorite show... but rather like 5. I love, love, LOVE watching Army Wives, Bunheads, Pretty Little Liars, Grey's Anatomy, and GCB. I could watch each of these shows over, and over, and over again.

  

7. I love fall. I love the colors, the smells, and the feel of fall! I love seeing the leaves change, eating Pumpkin pie, and the feel of how cool it gets! I also have to throw in the start of football - who doesn't like men in tight pants?! Helloooo, booty! ;)

8. I love tattoos. I have two currently, but will be getting more. I love the way people use tattoos to represent themselves and express themselves. Some people think it's a sign of disrespect on your body and that they're stupid, but I think tattoos are beautiful.

9. I love the military. And military pups. Being a military girlfriend, I've come to enjoy the military. I love all the beauty it represents. I appreciate the sacrifices that men and women give in order to protect those that they love and people that they don't even know! I'm military for the rest of my life and I couldn't be more proud.

Also linking up with the Me, Myself, & I link-up party. 1. What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?  If I knew I couldn't fail, I would absolutely attempt to open a bakery. It's been a long time dream of mine, especially since I'm in love with sweets. I don't eat vegetables or fruits, but if they had fruit/veggies that tasted like candy, I'd be eating them like it's my job!

2. If you only had six months left to live, what would you do with that time? Travel to Italy, France, Australia, Bali, and Spain Open my bakery Ride an elephant in India

Create a new crayon color for Crayola Have a baby! Swim with beluga whales

Own a zoo Go to a baseball game at Yankee stadium Get married on the beach 3. If a front page news article was written on you, what would the title be? Oh geez.... uh, I'd have to say, "Hoarder hoards even more" - EVERYONE, and I'm not joking, EVERYONE, tells me I'm a hoarder. I do have a TOOOOOOON of stuff, but it's all consumables that will be used sometime or another soon when I get my job (hopefully)!! I promise! 4. What is your biggest pet peeve? No manners and lying. I absolutely cannot stand when people don't say please, thank you, you're welcome, and so forth. I was raised with manners so I hate when people don't have them on their own. I also hate lying. Once you lie once, you have to continue that lie. You'll eventually get caught, so just tell the truth to save you from the trouble! 5. What is your favorite chick flick movie? I absolutely love Dear John. Or anything with Channing Tatum, really. But Dear John is my definite favorite chick flick movie. Maybe it's because he's in the military or maybe it's because it's Channing, but I love it!

Have a good day, y'all!

Monday Made It & Live Laugh Craft Series!

Hi y'all! Linking up with Tara @ 4th Grade Frolics for her Monday Made It linky!

This week, I was inspired by a pin I have seen floating around Pinterest.

Source: Technology Rocks. Seriously.

So I chose to create my own variation of this sign, but not on paper.

MATERIALS:
12x18 wooden board (mine is from Michaels)
Black acrylic paint
White cardstock
Cricut (or any cutting machine)
5 colors of scrapbook paper
Mod Podge or Xyron sticker maker

I actually turned the "Before you speak" into stickers with my Xyron sticker maker, but then I chose to do the rest in Mod Podge. I've never actually used Mod Podge for a full out project before, so it was a different kind of experience! In the end, it was a super easy project and I plan to put it up by my desk in my classroom. I can see little imperfections throughout the board, BUT I think it gives it character because it's not perfect :)

It's also time to start our Live Laugh Craft series party with my BPIC, Monique @ Uniquely Monique! She's hosting this great linky and I know it'll keep me in shape with my crafting! This time around, it's a planner creation party! Of course, you can go out and purchase your own planners and make it quick, but is it personable? Not always! So, I decided to create my own planner (and some of you have seen it floating around on my TPT store!) but to add more pages to it to fit my current needs. So, below is a description of my planner and some pictures of it! :)


I chose to make my cover with something beachy because I'm a beach baby. Always have been, always will be!

Next are my pages. I left them blank from numbers so that I could reuse this design year after year if I so choose! This is a similar format for all months, I just wanted to show you August! There's really not much going on because school doesn't start for me until September 4th!

Here's a daily view of what's going on for the last week of August! Im going to North Carolina to see babe and I CANNOT wait!!

Finally, I've got two different pages - one is a to do list page and one is a notes page. I'll print out a to-do list and a notes page for each month and use them as necessary. As you can see, I've got a few things on my to-do list... I should probably get on it!!

So, that's my mini planner made to my own personality! I love the color coral, so that's the reasoning for the outline. You can make your planner the way you want... but go check out Moe & her co-host's planner ideas by clicking on the picture above!! :) Next week, they've decided that we are making our own DIY headbands - perfect for fall & Pinterest utilization!

QUESTION: I have 150 craft sticks sitting in my other room. I want to do something with them, but I honestly have NO idea what to do! Any ideas or thoughts? They will be greatly appreciated!

Have a good day, y'all!

Saturday Challenge

I'm linking up this Saturday with the Saturday Challenge at Artsy Anthropology. Click the picture below to head to the post & link up, too!

Today I challenge you to...

1. Say something nice about 2 different people that you've met through blogging, shop ownership, etc.

2. Do something nice for a complete stranger, doesn't have to be big or expensive.

3. Say something good about yourself.

4. Be thankful for something.

5. Do something that scares you, that you've been putting off, or that you normally wouldn't do because other people think it's "not like you."

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED :)

1. Say something nice about 2 different people that you've met through blogging, shop ownership, etc.
So, I met Brian not too long ago. I've been following him for a while on Facebook and his blog, Hopkins' Hoppin' Happenings, but recently just got to know him. Brian is probably one of the hardest working, nicest, caring man I have ever met. It's almost like he doesn't do anything for HIMSELF, but rather, for others as long as they end with a smile on their face. I suggest you get to know him.. he's the best! Another person I've met is Kate. Her and I hit it off as soon as we started following one another! To go along with that, she's also an Ohioan like myself AND we've got much more in common than just that. Kate is honest, caring, and sweet, just like Brian, and she'll also help you out anytime you need to - a drop-everything-and-help kind of girl! She has a blog, too; EduKate & Inspire. She actually just started her TPT store not too long ago and has come up with some AMAZING products - I hope that you'll check her out, as well!

2. Do something nice for a complete stranger, doesn't have to be big or expensive.
I try to do something nice for someone each and every day. Today, I was in Hobby Lobby and saw a mother trying to carry paper, push her cart, and carry her sleeping toddler, all in one step. I offered to hold her papers while she readjusted herself to get more comfortable so she could shop. The smile on her face was unbelievable, that a complete stranger would take notice that she was uncomfortable and offered to help. Not only did it make her happy, but it made me happy being able to help someone in such a little, but big, way!

3. Say something good about yourself.
This is hard for me. I hate complimenting my own self in fear of sounding arrogant. But, I believe that I have grown through my years at college into a beautiful, young woman. I feel that I have a great head on my shoulders and that I can do anything I put my mind to - that's a big deal to me!

4. Be thankful for something.
I am thankful for old friends. I have recently reconnected with a few old friends and I am SO happy that I did. These two women and I were best friends all through elementary and middle school, up through the beginning of high school until some falling outs. BUT, nonetheless, I'm happy that I chose to contact them and have dinner - it was probably the best night I have had in a VERY long time.

5. Do something that scares you, that you've been putting off, or that you normally wouldn't do because other people think it's "not like you."
Something that I've been putting off... eating healthy and exercising. I have NEVER really worked out in my life, so I am incredibly out of shape. I keep saying, "I'm going to work out. I'm going to work out. I'm going to work out." but it never happens - I'm just too lazy and have NO motivation. BUT, I have finally found something that I can do, walk. Granted, it's not going to make a huge difference off the bat, but I've got to start somewhere. I also love sweets waaaaaaaay too much, so I need to ween myself off them, slowly but surely. I think someone should come up with some healthy foods that taste like candy... it would be perfect <3 Anyway, I vow to start working out and eating healthier to become a better me & be more comfortable in my skin!

Your turn - go accept the Saturday Challenge!

Have a good night, y'all!

3 Great Giveaways

Hi y'all! I've got 3 giveaways to tell you about! You do not want to miss ANY of them.

First, we've got Diane's giveaway @ Teaching with Moxie! She's hit 100 followers and has quite a few fabulous bloggers (including Mercedes & Allie below!!) giving away things - including me!! I'm giving away a $10.00 TPT gift certificate to one lucky winner. What are ya waiting for?? Go enter!

 Next, we've got Mercedes' giveaway @ Surfing to Success! She has also hit 100 followers and has a few fab bloggers (including Diane above!) giving away things - I'm also giving away something!! In this giveaway, I'm giving a $10.00 Target gift card to one lucky winner. GO NOW!!

Finally - we've got Allie's giveaway @ The Gypsy Teacher! She's hit 150 followers and has mini giveaways going on all week INCLUDING the biggie giveaway! How cool and sweet is she?! She's got some nice little prizes lined up... and I'm jealous I can't win! I'm giving away a $10.00 TPT gift certificate in this giveaway to one lucky winner. Now, GO!!

I hope you all will enter their FANTASTIC giveaways & good luck to everyone! :)

One last thing - I've been out exploring the blogging world... and I'm truly starting to realize how big it is, especially beyond the education blogs. There are SOOOO many blogs out there and I am amazed at how many people I have met through this journey, teaching related or not. I just want to say thank you to all my followers - the newbies & the oldies. Again, thank you for choosing to follow me & support all my decisions as a blogger. I'm going to be blogging both about personal life (more than now) and still educational! Blogging is a place for me to express myself and my thoughts, and I surely hope that you can find something that you can relate to, of course! But, instead of being worried about reaching everyone, I'm just going to do what I see best for me :) Hope you'll still take this journey with me in this crazy thing called life.

BINGO is tonight - bring on the good luck! Have a good day, y'all!