Friday Sevensies

*1*

 

Do any of you have 7th/8th grade kids/siblings/nieces/nephews/godchildren who struggle with reading? Not just the mechanics, but comprehending and being able to tell you about what they read? I'm having a hard time getting through to a couple of kids that I teach, and am looking for techniques I could use in the classroom for all the kids, even the very good readers, but something that would help the kids who are having a more difficult time of it. It's hard, because the class is too short for me to be giving one-on-one attention and coaxing them through the text.

 

*2*

 

This song makes me happy :) (Featuring 2 of my favorite Canadian artists)

 

 

 

*3*

 

My friend Jill is a rockstar mom. You should visit and follow her blog - her little boys are just the cutest, and little John Paul is an angel. Also, she has a delightful Etsy shop with hand-painted watercolor prints, note cards, handmade aprons, bags, quilts ... and she'd probably make custom orders, so pay her a visit!

 

*4*

 

I went to TJ Maxx today and finally found a pair of kitten heels in my size. My current dilemma: the cashier neglected to take that buzzer shoplifting alarm off before I left. And it didn't go off when I walked out, so I didn't notice. My nephew, who works at a different store in the chain, says I just have to take it back with the receipt and they'll remove it. Easy enough, right? Well, the store is 40 minutes away, and I get there maybe  one a month. Risking the inevitable ear-piercing shriek, maybe I'll just cut it off, put it in a box, and put that in another box, mail it to myself, and when it comes...

 

 

*5*

 

So excited because my ThredUp order came yesterday (after being delayed). This shop is my new favorite thing - I got a bunch of new shirts for spring/summer, and several basics to take Annie through the summer, for $30, shipped. All name-brand and in great shape. AND I can sell some of my old-but-still-in-good-condition nicer clothes through them, too, so it's a double-win! You'll be seeing some of my shirts in WIWS posts, you bet your buttons.

 

*6*

 

I just checked out Mrs. Miniver from the library today, along with its sequel, The Miniver Story, and after hearing rave reviews from my husband and other Greer Garson fans, I'm pretty excited to watch them. Michael and I watched "Random Harvest" a few months ago, which was my first encounter with Garson, and I was hooked. Have any of you seen these? Any Garson fans out there?

 

*7*

 

Breaking News: My husband came home from Costco with a new vacuum! Seriously, better than flowers right now. I've been getting sooooo frustrated that neither (that's right, we have 2) of our vacuums can thoroughly clean our grand total of 3 area rugs in our house. And for this long-haired mama who's been suffering post-partum hair loss for a year now, it's just gross. I can barely sit on our living room floor without cringing at the knowledge that it just isn't clean enough. And Annie keeps picking up those dust bunnies that form from dust and clumps of hair. Eww. This thing apparently has great suction, and has social "pet tools" to help get the hair up. Fitting, as this dog bears an uncanny resemblance to me.

 

My highlights will look more natural, however.

 Tomorrow will commence the great vacuum event of 2014 - vacuum all the things!!!

 

Go visit Jen and friends for more Quick Takes this week.