Back to School with the CREEPY Lovecraft Middle School!

We all know we should not judge a book by it's cover, but has anyone told 4th and 5th graders that? These creepy, FUN books caught my eye at the public library this summer with their HOLOGRAPHIC covers. Above you see the "creepy" version of the cover- a normal, human character is on the cover with the tilt of your hand.

The story lines are eerie, fun, and totally appropriate for solid 4th and 5th grade readers. I anticipate a long hold list for these titles!

The BEST Library Bulletin Boards from Pinterest in One Place

I know that we are all sorting through Bulletin Boards right now. Some years I have even made a Board outline for the year. Good in theory but wasted time because I either see something else I love or time runs out ....or SOMETHING!!

My intention was to "curate" these boards and list the original site. After two boards and 30 minutes, I gave that up - if I know the original source, I list it but most of these have been pinned dozens of times at least.

NONE of these are my original boards - I have created variations of some of these but mine are not pictured. Here's to early August and getting up those boards!

STEM-TACULAR Picture Books

 

This will be our third year as a STEM school at Edmondson. The language is coming more naturally, the expectations are growing, and STEM is becoming part of our every day learning.

As far as building a "STEM" Library, the timing could not be better for me. Publishers are creating lists faster than we can purchase and the Common Core has a strong STEM focus. Here are some of my favorite STEM picture books that we have added to our Library.

By no means is this a comprehensive list - the hardest part is just sticking to my list that I jotted down during the spring.

By Andrea Beaty

By Andrea Beaty

By Candace Fleming

By Jessie Hartland

By Brenda Z. Guiberson

By William Kamkwambe and Bryan Mealer

By Alison Formento

By Laurie Lawlor

By Alan Madison

By Mary M. Cerullo and Clyde Roper

By Mary M. Cerullo

By Kathleen Krull

By Jon Scieszka

By Corey Rosen Schwartz

By Margaret McNamara

By Margaret McNamara

By Dr. Phillip Lars Manning

Senior Pictures - No Pressure Thanks to PicMonkey!

My oldest daughter will be a senior this fall. For the last few years we have had our eyes on Senior Pictures, thinking about what she wants. When did this phenomenon happen? This is intense - the photos must be beautiful, unique, on location - to name a few!!

That sounds like something best left to professionals until you check out the pricing. The average in Northern Colorado ran 150 for booking fee, an extra 175 for location fee, portfolio (printing) fee of 425. Aye! - and that's before we order prints for family.

My daughter and I made a deal: we would try them ourselves first. If we were not happy we would hire a pro. The first batch was easy breezy! The outside scenery and lighting did most of the work. Looking at them now I may have been a little too excited about the "sun" feature - but the cool thing is I can change that whenever I want.

The second round (the basketball group) were scary horrible. Cranky, what were we thinking, call a photographer, make room in the budget NOW bad. This is where PicMonkey saved the day.

I really almost gave up - then on a whim I uploaded one to www.picmonkey.com. I cropped first, then adjusted the shadows which darkened the ugly sheet we used and turned it into the stylish background we imagined. After adding the spotlight feature I could not believe we had the same picture! Here are some before and afters:

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 I should mention that I pay the 4.99 per month subscription fee at PicMonkey - I am not sure whether some of the editing features I used are part of the subscription. I use PicMonkey all the time but this by far has been my favorite project - and the biggest money saver!

Real Gel Nails that didn't break the bank - PERFECT for my Librarian Friends

True confession time. I am from Texas and as stereotyped as it sounds, it's hair and nails, nails and hair. To this day the first thing I notice about a woman is her nails. Consequently, too much of my waking time is devoted to thinking about my own nails. This can be confirmed by visiting my Nails, Nails, Nails Board on Pinterest.

When I started working in the computer lab before the library, the nails went short after two days. In the Library, they have stayed short. I admire my friends who can keep a nice mid length nail but it is not happening for me (shelving books, keyboards - enough said).

About two years ago my husband bought a UV light for me to speed to process of weekly manicures. It was amazing! But my nails still chipped, no matter which process I used (and I feel I have tried them all).

And, cue Pinterest! I LOVE how Gel Nails look and I was totally sold on the claims of three week manicures. Too good to be true? The price was killing me. The LED lights I saw online ranged from 65.00 to over 150.00. The actual polish is not ultra expensive at about 12.49 a tube but when starting it is an investment.

Gel Nails can also seem tricky in the beginning, so I searched and searched  posts and tutorials. This, by far, was the most comprehensive blog I found on Gel Nail application.

http://www.luluandsweetpea.com/2013/01/diy-gel-nails-at-home.html

Sally Beauty Supply had the Gelish Mini LED Lamp on sale for 34.99 when I went by. (*note that the power cord was an extra 14.99 but which of us doesn't have a drawer full of extra cords?) MUCH BETTER than 65.00 plus! This is the mini and I cure four fingers at a time with the thumbs going last for the third round. At 45 seconds a piece I can handle that for sure. One feature I really like about this lamp is that it shuts off after 45 seconds. I don't have to even keep track of that!

 

When I was at Sally's Gel Paints were BOGO, another score!! I was able to get Gel Base, Gel Top Coat, and two colors for 24.50. I was thrilled walking out of Sally's having spent 60.00 for everything I needed to get started with my Gel Nails.

I could NOT BELIEVE how easy the application was and how AMAZING the results were. That gel is not going anywhere!  Like I read time and time again, I changed colors because of regrowth.

The downfall of Gel Nails is taking me some time to adjust to: when people say removing them is a pain, that is the UNDERSTATEMENT of the YEAR. This post is the method I am using right now, and know that it takes at least 25 minutes. My hope is I will get better at this and decrease that time.