Not Invisible, But Visible!

So sorry about not having much posted during vacation! Don't worry, I'm not invisible! It turns out things got a little crazy before we left town and my plans to get posts written and scheduled, just didn't happen! I will explain more later this week! 

In the mean time, I do have some new stuff to show you... well you should already be looking at it at this point! 

Do you like the new look of this blog?

I even added some social media buttons!  

I am in love with it!

I will be back tomorrow with a few shots from our vacation! 

PS Lee Lou Blogs is a great source for some really cute backgrounds and templates! This background was completely free! Love it! Oh and before I forget, I know a few months back I said i would be adding in teacher created materials for sale as well as changing the look of this blog. The change you see here today is not exactly what I had in mind, but finances aren't allowing me to spend $$$ on this blog. Also, I am just not finding the time to make anything for teachers! Life tends to get busy when we least expect it! 

Ready for a Round Up - July 2013

I have been trying to write a post like this for ages! But i am now committing to doing a monthly round up post every month! Hold me to it! 

So here's my top 5 posts that I loved reading from around the blog world!

One that made me laugh: 
My Life With a Cherry on Top- this post

One that touched my heart:

lowercaseletters - this post

One that scratched an itch:

Life Hand in Hand - this post

One with a recipe I need to try:

Dark Chocolate Sea Salted Toffee on lowercase letters

*normally i would not feature one blog 2x, but both posts were worth sharing! 

One NEW blog I'm following and loving:

The Brandon and Amanda Story

And in case you missed it, here are my top posts from this month:

Not Gonna Be a Ball & Chain

Bingo was his Name-o

Never Ever Ever First

A Little DIY for your Thursday

Blog Planner Love

And that's the monthly round up! 

Have a great Tuesday! 

PS. Big news is coming on the blog! Check out my Random Thursday post this week! 

Blog Planner Love

I love what I have to share with you today! 

This blogger got a new planner! 

Yes I love my old way of planning out my posts and what I would share with you all, but the pages ran out and so did the ink on my dedicated blog planning pen! 

I rushed out to the happiest shopping place on Earth, where else, but Target. And struggled in the aisle trying to find a replacement for my notebook from a year or so ago. To no avail, there was nothing that satisfied me completely. Certain criteria started to fly out the window just so I could find a replacement. 

I was about to leave with an OK replacement that I was not thrilled with, when I found an end cap with a bunch of ADORABLE planners. They were meant for students going off to school and needing an organizer/planner! I cashed in on the opportunity and found this cute planner:

And here's a look inside: 

A view of the monthly calendar and the "DO" "CALL" and "BUY" list page. 

The monthly planning page. 

Each monthly calendar page is followed by a double page spread for the week. 

 Each weekly page has a "Notes" section and this is where I write my stats for the week. 

 I also use this sticky note to move it from week to week. 

 I then draw these check boxes and use that to check items off the weekly to do list! Stickies are the best invention ever! It really helps me to have a note written before hand! I get so much more done when I sit down to blog! I am way more focused with this planner! 

If you are in the market for a planner of any sort, I love this one! 

The best part: it was under $20! 

Target for the win! 

I'm Back Y'all

Ahhh ... there's nothing like an impromptu break! I'm back, but definitely needed the rest! 

Thought i would catch y'all up by posting some Instagram and iPhone shots that i have taken recently. 

(BTW I always seem to avoid using the word y'all cause i don't want to seem like i have a Texas accent, well, i am done skipping that word. It will be around for a while!)

Here they are:

This kitty keps finding new hiding places to hide. Here she is with the dish cloths! 

 And then hiding under a blanket on my lap! 

 New sandals that are dress code approved!

 We went and visited our friends in Riverside and Lily wanted to join us! 

It was so cute to watch her climb in and watch me pack! 

 We played a little pool and the boys smoked the girls! 

I think I scratched more than I ever have!  

 The ladies! 

If you don't recognize her, that Jami from Somewhat Domesticated! Love her! 

The next morning Jami and I walked up Mount Roubidoux. It was beautiful! 

 Jami and I met up with these great bloggers: Lin and Shelley 

 Spent some time cuddling with Jami's kitten! Look at that face! 

 I won the prize at Bunco last week! It's so cute and will go great in our new patio when the time comes! 

 Celebrated this little one's 1st year of life! 

Her mom did a Minnie theme and everything turned out awesome! 

 Ended Saturday with a late night trip to Target after a late night dinner. Found a new makeup brush. Have you ever tried Sonia Kashuk brushes? I have tried some of the eye shadow in the past, but i have loved the brushes for a long, long, long time! 

 And lastly, our Realtor has been super helpful and informative. This first time buyer has major jitters and with our first offer on the table, I am so hot and cold it is not even funny! One minute i can't wait and the next, I am freaking out and wishing for something else. Is this normal? Anyway, I thanked our Realtor for her patience and her response was this:

Best part of that email: she was encouraging and used the word y'all! 

This blogger's back! Hope you didn't miss me too much! 

A Prayerful Blogger

A huge part of this blogging world is to befriend those that also blog. 

It has been a huge blessing to me to read about other people, their teaching experiences, new lesson plans, about hopes, dreams, struggles, and triumphs and really so much more! Often I read several posts in an evening and many times i find myself reading posts with tears streaming or a huge smile and sometimes even a huge belly laugh! Many times i have been led to pray for my fellow bloggers. It is definitely not easy to express yourself with care on the internet, but it takes a huge amount of guts to really say what is on your heart. 

Bloggers who spill their personal struggles often lead me to prayer. 

Today I thought i would share the bloggers who have recently led me to prayer. 

I will not share the reasons why, but only ask that you read the posts that I link to and maybe even say a prayer for that person in return. 

Amy Lemons @ Step into Second with Mrs. Lemons

Check out this post and this post! 

Taylor over @ Baking, Crafting, Teaching... Oh My! 

Check out this post from a few months ago! She has been heavy on my heart since i read her struggle! 

Michelle @ The Vintage Apple

She had her little apple just before the new year and she has been on my prayer list as well!

Check out this post and this one too! 

& 

Elyse over @ My Life with a Cherry On Top

Check out this post!

I cannot find the exact post that htis lady posted about six months ago, but this lady had had one hec of a time finding a teaching job. She seems to roll with the punches and continues to work with kiddos however she possibly can! She just started a new job, mid-year and I have continued ot keep her in my prayers. She definitely has the heart for special ed kiddos! 

I hope you might join me in praying for these lovely ladies! 

Oh and don't forget today is the GFC Blog Hop with The Life of a Not So Ordinary Wife! go Check it out! 

 

PS. I have thought about making this into a link up, would any of you be interested? 

Leave a comment to let me know! 

Limit Hit

Sunday night's lesson in blogging:

I should have re-sized my photos before i hit my free space limit on Picasa!

Until i can get more space made available, this site is under a bit of construction.

My posts will be at a minimum!

Sad day!

Bugged Blogger

Well this is not so random for this blog. I have already posted a pet peeve this week and i hate to be a bit whiny, but here are my 

Linking up with these ladies...

for...

So here they are ... 

But don't forget to check out this pet peeve that was written a little earlier this week! 

I only have a couple more...

|one|

When a blog consists of mostly sponsorships and trying to sell things (ad space, certain websites, teacher's pay teachers units, etc.). This buuuuuuuuugggs me. It honestly makes me wonder why i am still following that blog. I don't mind a few of these things, but i follow blogs because i enjoy the content that the blogger provides. I see why many bloggers have sponsorships and try to sell things, but i just don't like it when its every post, every day. 

|two|

Over posting. I think one post per day is enough. Enough said. 

|three| 

Word verification! I cannot stand figuring out those darn numbers and letters. It can be super dumb. We already spend so much time doing this bloggy thing and then to take even more time just to leave comments. Ugh! If you do have this on your blog, please know i will not be a regular commenter on your blog! Please change your settings!!! Go here for more info. 

I think that is what really bugs me most!

What bugs you? 

20 Something

Alright! Enough is enough... something has got to be said! 

Let's just start with this and then i will move on to my rant! 

I enjoy blogs and reading every little morsel of what is put on the internet (for the most part). I enjoy bloggers from many different perspectives and think it is wonderful when someone can write an eloquent piece that they decide to share with others. I also learn a lot from other bloggers and would not trade this blogging world for anything. This is in no way a bash of any of the bloggers that i follow, it's really just and "I'm just sayin'!" moment! 

So here it is... I think it has become cool, trendy, or whatever to say that you are "20-something" This has slowly gotten on my nerves! I am completely OK with my age and think it is just a number and if anything it shows a bit of life experience and maybe even a little wisdom. I am tired of women who get so depressed during their birthday week, day, month and so on! This is not just apparent in the blogging world. It is only age and if you feel you are lacking something let's just please move on and do something to change what you want to be different in your life. If you are not in a relationship, find one. If you are stuck in a boring job, change it. If you lack happiness or health or peace, then change it! But when i look at other blogs and i see that someone isn't willing to share their age when they are in their 20s, this frustrates me...

Why? Why would one want to hide? Let's be honest, there is a big difference between 20 and 29. There is so much change that life brings during that decade of time! Why not share your age? I share mine happily. I am 32 and proud of my accomplishments and where i stand in life. Do i have goals and dreams that i have yet to live out? YES! But, it just seems terribly ridiculous that a 20 year old would refrain from posting an age. 

I am writing this not to change your mind, but maybe to call attention to this trend that only makes it seem as though something is hidden. We are bloggers and as bloggers it seems as though we put ourselves out there. As a reader and a blogger, i sure hope that the other blogs i read are honest. If we are not honest about the simplest of things (such as our own age) then what else do we hide? 

Maybe i am missing something. Is there a reason that within your 20s you would hide your age? 

In my opinion, there is not. In fact there isn't a reason to hide you age no matter what age you are. This girl never will hide it. 

This Side of the Blog World

Wow! What a weekend! Hence the late post and link up to the Sunday Social! Hope you enjoy! Today's topic is about this little blog and all that blogging has taught me! 

1. What is the name of your blog and how did you come up with it?? 

Whelp, this blog is called Busy as Honey Bee. I named it that because life is often so full of being busy as a honey bee! Life often feels so busy and this blog is a way for me to show the busyness of my life. It is a place for me to be crafty, learn, explore and grow! An added little tidbit (brace yourself for the cheesiness of this) my husband calls me is honey bee!

2. What do you love the most about blogging?? 

The best part about blogging is for sur the community! I hav learned so much and feel as though I have also contributed so much too! I am really looking forward to what this blog brings to others an to myself! The friendships aren't even the Hal of it but sur ad th icing on the cake! I can't wait to make more blogger friends IRL!

3. What are your 2 favorite posts you've written? 

 I would have to say this one and this one! The first link is a post where I shared about my friend Chuck and the second link is about how i met my beau! 

4. What is something you'd want to tell someone just starting out in blog world? 

I would tell anyone starting out in the blogging world to make sure you do this blogging thing for yourself and not for the numbers! It can be super rewarding and encouraging to see the numbers go up, but make sure that it's something you enjoy an not something that becomes a chore!

5. Biggest blogging learning experience you've had? 

Gosh! Not sure I have have one of these yet. It might be that I forgot to mention where I got certain pictures from! Learned my lesson and truly felt that person was so gracious and understanding! I think I have also learned too that friends and followers come from places where you would least expect it! Ohhhh and I have learned that everyone has a different style! It's best to learn form the style of others rather than feeling that you are lacking or less!

6. Give us 3 blogs we NEED to be following that you love.  

Ok so here ar a few blogs that have really hit home with me: 

Trial by Sapphire (This girl has inspired such a positive attitude in me! Love hr blog! So creative and well said!) 

Pray for Ian (Love how this girl loves the Lord and how she serves her hubby everyday!)

&

Eat Yourself Skinny (This is a new one for me!)

Stay tuned for my 100 follower giveaway this week (Wednesday!!!) 

& a fun weekend in review post tomorrow! 

One Bloggers Outlook

This week I have spent time reflecting on what blogging has done for me. My response is definitely a positive one.

Everyday, at least in the recent few weeks, I have felt weary, tired, overworked and desperate for a break. Let's face it finishing out a school year without the hope of a break in between is just making me feel as though I have been kicked while I am already down. (This summer we only get a 2 day break and a weekend before we start summer school. We start summer school today and my two day break is all gone! Ugh.) I don't mean to complain I just wanted to express honestly what I have been feeling. I know I am not alone in feeling this way either.

Regardless of these feelings at the close of one school year, I have felt encouraged to keep going. There are comments that are left that have motivated me to keep on trudging on. I have reached goals as far as followers and posting consistently that I have set for myself. I am completely content with the progress that this little blog of mine has made. I am also excited and thrilled to see where it will take me. I have been blogging now for 6 months and it has been such a neat experience thus far. What does ths future hold? I love the mystery and the anticipation that happens when I think about an answer to that question!

Other side effects of blogging include: being more reflective and also taking time to do things for myself. As I type, I have painted nails (a sign of having treated myself), a blog that I feel proud of, and so much hope for what is to come from blogging! I have learned more about HTML than i ever thought i would learn and feel like more is to come. I have learned from other bloggers and been shaped in these last few months. Its amazing how a GREAT God can lead you even in this technologically advance world. Blogging is such a neat part of my life and I love the potential that it has added to my life and career. I love setting goals and seeing them be achieved as though an answer to prayers i never even knew i prayed. That is terribly rewarding. Does it take up a lot of my time, effort, energy, and sometimes my sleep? Yes, but I feel that it is more than worth it! It is one niche that i feel I am in the complete right place at the right time. 

A quick little side note: to those who have left comments, followed through GFC, encouraged in any way, liked a post on facebook, or even just asked about my blog, THANK YOU! It has added a new dimension to my life and I love it! Thanks bunches! 

Thanks to the lovely Jessica for helping me to stop and smell the roses!