Monday, July 31, 2017

A Freebie Reader for You!

I've been busy working on adding items to my store and am glad I have lots of new products for the sale which is August 1-2.  I buy a ton during this sale but haven't added any new items to my shopping cart...yet!  

To celebrate the sale and thank you for reading this blog, I'm offering this Freebie to you.  Click to download from Google Drive.  (Don't go to store...only free to all of you here.) 


I know this is only a little reader but I adore it!  I wrote it last year and based it on my interaction with one of my students the day before school started.  He had his pockets stuffed with little trinkets and kept asking "Can I bring this...Can I bring that?"  He kept taking things out of his pocket at record speed.  It was like the never-ending clowns coming our of a tiny car! Here's the book if you want to preview before you download your free copy.


I have all "R" blend books available in my store.  If in need of some "R Blend" materials, check out this great bundle.  With the 25% off sale, a truly awesome bargain on an already crazy good bargain! :)


(I have "L Blend" activities, too.)

I also put up a few bulletin board packets in my store at the request of my good friend, Haritha! Here are some pics.  Each one has two versions and a simple writing prompt is included as well.  (K kids can draw a picture.)  I'm using the Dinos this year.  Last year, I used the Twinkle.





Available in pink and blue, too.



I'm off to load up my cart!  Have a great day!  For those of you who have returned to school already, here is hoping that you have a FABO year!


Friday, July 7, 2017

Any Binge-Worthy TV Show Recommendations?

If so, I'd love to hear from you!  I like to have something playing in the background in early morning/late evening hours when I'm working on school-related "stuff."  So far this summer, I watched Stranger Things and loved it! Having only one season so far appealed to me since I knew I could watch it quickly.  I'll be watching Season 2 for sure.  (Love these kids!)



Then I moved on to this AMAZING, highly-rated Netflix documentary, The Keeers,  which was only 8 episodes I think. I highly recommend you tune in but be prepared to feel outraged on so many levels. So, so many levels.



I also watched something I had ZERO interest in but ended up liking it.  I needed a bit of fluff after the The Keepers.  I am certainly NOT the targeted age group but it was fun and campy and again, only one season so far:


It's Archie and the Gang in modern times.  Who knew Jughead was played by Cole Sprouse of Zack and Cody fame?

Right now, I'm on Season 3 of a show many of you most likely have been watching for a while: SUITS.  I like it a lot but not sure if I'll go the distance of seven seasons!  (Watching it on Amazon Prime.  The new season starts on USA Network next week.)



I also watched my beloved Orange is the New Black but was disappointed in the season which took place over three days.  Boo to that!

I don't have HBO so no Big Little Lies for me yet which I heard rocks!

Looking back at this post it seems like I watch WAY too much TV!  Eek!  Just when I'm working.  I like to multi-task!

One last thing...I never gave a shout-out to Matthew who graduated from High School a few weeks ago.  He'll be going to Rider University just 30 minutes from here (but he will live on campus) in September and major in Sports Media.  So proud of him and know he's going to do great things...he already has!



Sarah will already be a Junior in Newhouse at Syracuse University in the fall. How did that happen? They're getting old which only means one thing:  I AM GETTING OLD!  :)

It's raining here...a perfect day to...watch TV!


Thursday, July 6, 2017

My New Early Readers!


They'll be out in September!  Yea!  I had a blast writing these although it took some getting used to the format.  I usually write chapter books from 7,000 to 15,000 words and I had to tell these stories in 800 words...

Mission Accomplished!  

These are my first Early Readers and I'm excited that I'll be able to use them in my Guided Reading Groups!!

Look for them in your library in the fall!

Happy reading!

Wednesday, July 5, 2017

Mildew Stains on Deck? Dirty Pool Steps? Problem Solved!

This isn't school-related but I just have to share two outdoor tips for you if you have a pool and a composite deck.  These two products are MIRACLE WORKERS!  Seriously, they rock!

  

and 
First off, most people have white steps going into the pool.  These get grimy and no matter what product I've used, still look dirty.  The white is a bit textured and sunscreen and such get into the tiny groves.  When the water level fluctuates, you get the dreaded water mark, too.  Our pool is SUPER CLEAN yet when you look at the white step area, it doesn't look clean.  Almost like a ring around your tub.

Pool companies have sold me liquid cleaners that you pour on...but they pour right off and into the pool and DO NOT WORK.  After 8 years, someone suggested MR. CLEAN Magic Erasers.  In less than a MINUTE, the entire white area looks BRAND NEW!  Seriously, I almost cried after trying it for the first time.

On to the second product: Corte Clean!  The year we got our deck, it looked perfect!  Our neighbors had a three year old composite deck and came over to see if we had mold like they did.  When I saw their deck with gray specks COVERING it, I assumed they got a bad batch of decking materials. Within a year, mine got that way too.  YUCK!  We had it powerwashed (which you shouldn't do to a composite deck) and while it looked good for a week, by the second week, marks reappeared.

Then I discovered CORTE CLEAN from my cousin who owns a hardware store.  (NOTE: It is only now available online because it has a six-month expiration date. I have nothing to do with the company.  I just use their product.)  Again, it will rock your world.

After you use it, your deck will look like new for a good year IF you do a quick. light cleaning in fall as maintenance  Check out their website for specifics and a video on how to use it if interested. We used it on our top deck yesterday.  Our deck looks new today. Check them out if you've had it with your composite deck.  If you use it correctly, your deck will look like it did on DAY 1. Seriously.

I will update this post soon with pics.  For now, I just wanted to offer a solution for anyone out there desperate to find one to these two problems!



Sunday, July 2, 2017

Summer...FINALLY! (And a Limited Time Freebie Here)

Happy summer to me,
Happy summer to me,
Happy summer, Dear Lisa,
Happy summer to me!

School has only been out a week!  Whew!  I am THRILLED to be off!  And I am ever so grateful to all of you who have read my Blog and allowed me to read yours!  I just made a small product for my store and am offering it here on my blog for FREE for a week to thank all of you!  Just click and download!  (Edited to add on 7/14:  I actually left up for almost two weeks.  Hope all who downloaded this enjoys it!)



I was so tired of searching for long-lost birthday pieces for my calendar that I finally broke down and made some of my own.  I added jokes and can already hear the giggles as the Birthday Boy or Girl reads the joke during Morning Meeting.

UPDATED:  Just finished these Dinosaur and Sport Sets which are available in my store.
Only $1 each for the next 48 hours.

       
      

I uploaded a few more products, too:

On sale for $2!  That's 50% off!  I love having my kids complete a memory each month and observe the growth! Parents are always amazed at their progress when they read each entry.




Book It: Retell It, Write It, Make It! (The Relatives Came) 

Book It: Retell It, Write It, Make It! (My Lucky Day)

My Book-Its are my go-to ALL THE TIME in my own classroom!  Lifesavers!

I'm off to bed!  'Night!