Meet Francis

This is Francis.


I met Francis on my trip to China this summer.


 I haven't had time to tell you about it because there's so much to do as a teacher and mama getting ready for back to school.


Maybe you already checked out a few of my cheap and cute classroom secrets that work at home. 

As a teacher of gifted students who is always advocating for more rigor and higher learning, I often think of the performance of Chinese student with some envy. They are so dedicated. so disciplined. Few people in China will ever read this post. Blogger and all things Google are blocked, but let me tell you a bit more about Francis. He was typically sort of quiet, but as with most quiet folks....
when Francis did talk -- it was worth listening. 

So one night Francis asked me...
"Is it true that some people work and help others for free? I hear of this thing called volunteers."
After gathering that Francis was aware of missions work and 
confirming that volunteers do work for free to help others...Francis says, 
"Volunteers will change the world." 

Another inquiry Francis made:
"I hear that teaching in America is inspiring. Is this true?"

So the scene is set...are we ready to inspire?



Cute & Cheap Classroom Tips that Work for the Home

I don't usually blog about my classroom because other than a lot of organization and a lot of style...I don't put a lot of effort into it how it looks. I'm certain that Pinterest would be much more inspiring.

I am going to share a couple of these tricks though because they could be used in the home too!


Now...I'll tell you the truth that I picked up these little glass votives at the Goodwill already made, but it's simply a ribbon glued around a cheap votive to make a great little accent. 
I'll use mine for binder clips and erasers.

There are many ideas out there for sprucing up a bulletin board including fabric and washi tape, but you can also just use scrapbook paper for a patchwork look. The banner can easily be made and would look cute in a child's room. Be sure to check out why I am INSPIRED this year!!


Speaking of the Goodwill and being inspired...while there with my mama we came up with the kind of cheater curtains that had random teachers popping their heads in because they had heard...

that it started with this bed skirt from the Goodwill.


I grabbed my pinking shears still handy from that INSPIRE banner and cut out just the ruffle off the bedskirt and I cut the matching flat sheet in half. I almost forgot to tell you ladies (and the possible one or two gentleman reading this) that Linens were BOGO at the Goodwill that day...


 So that's right...you are looking at $2.38 curtains for the classroom!


Funny thing is the "actual curtain" that I brought from home was a double layered valance. I unfolded it and hung it to cover up the ugly desk front. This would work as a sink or cabinet skirt at home.


Yep...should have maybe ironed it first...


 Well...there you have it the cute classroom for under $5!!!


Linking to:
Stroll Through Life
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Grace at Home 
Simple and Sweet Friday
Fridays Unfolded
Overflowing with Creativity

An update to the "nook"

We have spiral stairs. They are elegant. They are fun. They are a pain.
We intend to move them and put in a regular, boring, L-shaped, easy to carry your laundry up stair case. In the meantime, we have an odd nook. Truthfully it's one of my favorite places. It's just enough space for one, so no one gathers there and it's kind of peaceful.

Despite living at the end of along dirt road in the middle of nowhere...we don't have much of that around here.


I've always wanted one of the leather collars you see all too often.
At $10 I figured even if I used it in the garden I had found a bargain.


I wanted to use it in a less than cliche way.
Although, a screen door is a bit cliche too. But it's the right kind of cliche. 
In fact I sort of wish it was on the front door so I could holler "Don't let that door slam..."


The candles are a nice mood booster and the books are my cherished collection of Little House.
Who am I kidding...I am cliche.

Linking to:





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