When You Marry a Teacher...

Chris and I have been together now for nearly 13 years.  When we first started dating, I was a Head Start teacher.  It didn't take him long to figure out that a lot of my time outside of my job would be consumed by...yep, you guessed it--my job!  Along with my free time being taken by my job, he also learned that a whole lot of my money and living space would also be used for my job.  I am pretty certain this is the norm for teachers.  We love our jobs and do about anything we can to make learning for our kids the best it can be, even if that means the giving of our money, time, and space in our homes!  :)

Here's the deal.  Teachers tend to be collectors.  Chris learned early in our relationship that you DON'T THROW ANYTHING!  "Do you want me to save this butter container, Sweetie?"  "How about this baby food jar?"  "What on earth are you going to do with juice lids?"  Oh, yes.  We teachers are creative creatures and I never wanted to throw anything for fear that it could be used for some center activity or art project in the future.  Honestly, here's the problem:   There really is not time for art projects anymore and there just isn't time in our day to create and put together a lot of extensive center activities.  Plus, I am growing weary of all of these items taking up space in my classroom and home.  It is time to lighten these two living spaces up and this is the time to do it.

I am going to put myself out there and post some pictures of my two "homes."  My real one and my school home.  In my defense, please note that I have been accumulating classroom items for 13 years.  With the exception of the summer that I spent at United Hospital on bedrest with Ian, I have devoted my summers to taking coursework and improving myself as a teacher.  Also, I do the majority of my lesson planning at home because it's just too difficult to find time during the school day to do so.  This means I bring a lot of resources home and keep them here.  The first picture will be of my bedroom closet (yes, school stuff makes it there also) which I am lightening up today.  Stay tuned for before and after shots.