Sunday, July 31, 2016

Back to School Giveaway

Hey yall!
That time a year is upon us...well, some of us anyway! It's back to school time!

So, some friends and I have teamed up and we are giving away a $40 Teachers Pay Teachers gift card for you to spend at the back to school sale that is happening August 1-2!
Here are the amazing teacher-bloggers that are bringing you this gift card! Click on the blog buttons to go to their blogs. Then, below each button is a link to the stores where you can add lots of things to your cart for the SALE!

Make sure you head here to enter the giveaway for a $40 TpT gift card! Good luck!

Monday, February 8, 2016

A Fresh Start

Hey yall!
(or to my one reader that's left...)
 
So it's been over 9 months since I lost my hubby. There have been ups and downs, but I feel as though I am generally in a good space. I still have my moments, and sometimes these moments last for hours, but for the most part, I am happy and content with my new life.
 
Except there was this one thing that I had closed off and refused to acknowledge.
His room.
 
Now, it wasn't really his room, rather our guest room.
But since our house is on the small side, including closet space, he kept his things in our guest room and I kept my things in the master bedroom.
We affectionately called it "his room."
I didn't pester him about keeping it clean, and he was able to decorate however he liked.
 
The door to "his room" has been closed for the last 9 months, and I only ventured in when I truly needed something from there. It was just too hard to see all his things and it became a huge source of sadness for me. So I just avoided the room altogether.
 
But the time finally came where I was ready for a change.
A fresh start, if you will.
So I decided to redecorate "his room" and turn it in to what it is truly meant to be-a guest room.
 
I have spent the last few weeks gathering items for this room, and I finally tackled it this weekend.
Here's what the room looked like before:
 


 
Pretty generic.
 
But here is how it looks now!
 
Daybed: WalMart
Comforter: Target
Pillows: Target
 

 

A fresh coat of paint and new knobs made this Goodwill desk and chair look brand new!


I had some of the amazing pictures I took in Paris printed in black and white.
Frames: WalMart

A little spray paint on those stars gave them a whole new look!


Another picture I took in Holland and had printed.
Frame: Ikea
Candle: Target

Lamp: Home Depot


Nightstand: Ikea
Clock and Flower: Kirklands


This is one of my favorite pictures of Amsterdam!
Corkboard and hooks: TJ Maxx



Another pretty picture I took in Amsterdam!

Canvas: Home Goods
Bucket: Ikea
Bird: Kirklands
Dresser: WalMart (I didn't like the knobs that came with it, so I snagged these from Lowes)
 I am so in love with my new guest room!
It is very girly and most definitely me!
Now this room is no longer a place of sadness, but a pretty place for my guests to lay their heads.
 
So.......who's coming for a visit???


Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Top 10 Insta Pics of 2015

Hey yall!
Happy New Year!
 
I know...it's been awhile.
One of my resolutions is to get back to blogging.
It's been one of the things I had to let go for awhile, but I feel ready to jump back in with both feet!
 
I wanted to bring back a fun linky from last year, because what better way is there to get back to blogging than with a linky party, right?
 
So here we go...the Top 10 Insta Pics of 2015!
{with original captions and hashtags}
 

 
My hubby's grandma gave these to me today. She said they were right next to each other in the cooler <3
Posted 5/24/2015
This was such a special moment for me. It was not even a month after my sweet hubby passed away, and was just the sign I needed. He sent me a lot of signs <3<3<3 I still have these sitting in my kitchen window.
 
 
No filter needed #newyorkcity #nyc #gagirlinny #nataliehitstheroad2015 #summershenanigans #teachersonbreak #tptsummersnapshot
Posted 7/24/2015
One of my most favorite pictures I took this year! My sister, niece, and I all spent a weekend in NYC. We took a boat cruise and I snapped this pic...it was beyond gorgeous!!!
 
 
Unpacking my desk box and I came across this frame. This frame has traveled with me to 3 different schools over the last 6 years. It will always have a spot on my desk. #hubbylove #misshim #youngandinlove
Posted 7/31/2015
I've always loved this picture of my hubs and I. It was taken on Easter Sunday in 2009.
 
 
Can you say upgrade? What am I going to do with this big ol' suite all by myself?!?! #vegasbaby #tpttakesvegas #teacherstakevegas #tptvegas2015 #nataliehitstheroad2015
Posted 7/7/2015
When I went to Vegas over the summer, I was upgraded to this amazing suite! It was just me, so it was a lot of space...but I certainly enjoyed myself! Thanks, Palazzo!
 

 
My handsome man, I'll love you forever
Posted 5/3/2015
These were the bookmarks that were passed out at my hubby's viewing. Recognize that picture of him??? I told you it was one of my favorites <3
 
 
True story! Anyone else wait until the last minute? #teacherprobs #teacherlife #byebyeweekend #procrastinatemuch
Posted 9/7/2015
I should post this picture again, because I STILL haven't written lesson plans for this week...and its almost Thursday!!! Good thing I'm good at winging it...
 
 
Run to Walmart...these sturdy little crates are perfect for books and they are only 50 cents! #teacherlife #b2s2015
Posted 7/29/2015
This picture proves how much teachers love a good deal!!!
 
 
My new favorite wine glass! #cdoawareness #vino #comeonsummer
Posted on 5/26/2015
This was a gift from one of my students...well, really from her mom! Unfortunately, it got put in the dishwasher and all the wording came off...sadsville!!!
 
 
#nowords
Posted 4/30/2015
Right after my husband passed away, the amazing community of teachers and bloggers started posting this picture on their IG and FB pages. This is a screenshot I took of my newsfeed. I cannot tell you how much this meant to me, yall. You all are the most caring, thoughtful, and amazing folks ever <3<3<3
 

As some of you have heard, my sweet husband passed on Monday. This is the last picture I have of us together and I will cherish it forever. I wanted to thank you all for the amazing outpouring of love and support I've received the last few days. I took some time to scroll through IG today, and I saw so much red, so much love. This has truly touched my heart. I am so very grateful for this amazing community of friends, teachers, and bloggers.


 It doesn't surprise me that this picture is the most liked. It was taken at a concert just two days before my hubby passed. We had such a good time with some great friends, and those memories will always stay with me.

 Want to play along? Link up below with your Top 10 Insta pics of 2015.
Feel free to snag the graphics from above.
I used Iconosquare to compare my Likes, but there may be better apps out there for this!
And if you're not already following me on IG {shame on you!}, be sure to find and follow me
@teacherytidbits



Sunday, September 13, 2015

The Small Moments

This "new life" is hard.
Really hard.
 
It's the small moments that make it so hard.
Not the empty bed, not the quiet house, not even visiting your grave.
Those things are hard...don't get me wrong.
But it's the small moments that are the toughest.
 
The moment I leave work and go to call you.
It was always the first thing I did, as soon as I got in the car
(sometimes before I even made it out of the building).
Tell you I'm on the way home, discuss dinner plans, talk about our days.
I miss those conversations.
 
The moment our show is on.
We had many shows, but you know which one I mean.
Singing the theme song together.
Rolling our eyes at the over-dramatic acting.
Wondering if we are ever going to find out who A is.
I can't even watch it anymore...its just not the same without you.
 
The moment I have to throw out the milk.
We used to have to buy 2 gallons of milk, every week.
Now I can't even get thru a half gallon before it expires.
I miss your love for milk, babe.
 
The moment I see your truck around town.
Well, not your truck. Your truck is gone.
But any truck that looks like yours.
It gives me heart palpitations, and I always look for that WSP sticker.
Even though I know its not there.
Because your truck is gone, and so are you.
 
The moment he does something crazy.
Yes, you who know.
He's still crazy.
But you know what else?
He's nice, too.
He brought me warm, chocolate chip cookies the other day.
And I laughed, because I know you would have said not to eat them.
So I didn't.
 
The moment our song comes on.
Actually, the many moments our song comes on.
I hear it all the time.
A lot more than I ever did before.
I know that's you, babe.

 
The moment I change into my "cozies."
We couldn't wait to put on our cozies for the night.
Just relax, maybe get a "sweet treat."
Cuddle up on the couch, watch a movie.
And laugh....always laugh.
 
The moment I didn't bite my nails.
You always hated how I bit my nails.
It drove you crazy.
But guess what, babe?
I don't bite them anymore.
They are long now.
Aren't you proud?
 
The moment I saw Oops, All Berries in the store.
You would have been so excited.
I would have bought it for you, surprised you with it.
You would have said "Whaaaaaaat???"
Maybe do your little dance.
But I didn't buy it...because you're not here to eat it.
 
The moment I found that flower.
Remember when we drove to Athens on Valentine's Day?
And we stopped at that gas station, and I asked you to buy me a cheesy gift?
You came out with this huge, 3 foot tall fake flower.
It cost you $10. And you said I was worth it.
I found it the other day...now its sitting in the living room.
And I look at it every day.

 
 
The moment I saw that poster.
We went out to eat the other day.
We were sitting at a table and I looked up to see a WSP poster.
Right beside our table.
It was a Blue Indian poster, babe.
Did you choose that table for us?
 
The moment I needed hangers.
So I went into "your room."
I haven't been in there much.
But I needed hangers, so I opened your closet.
And then I lost it.
 
The moment I bought tickets for Germany.
I was giddy when I bought the tickets, but also sad at the same time.
We were so excited to spend NYE in Paris together.
I'm still going babe...will you still come, too?

The moment I read our old text messages.
I miss talking to you.
But you can still make me laugh.

 
The moment I heard you laugh.
Were you here? I know you were.
I heard you.
You laughed.
Clear as day.
I was in the bedroom and I heard you laugh.
And then I cried.
 
Every moment you're not here.
It doesn't get easier. It never hurts less.
I think people just say that to make me feel better.
But it's not true. Because I don't feel better.
I just miss you.