Lots of new items listed on TpT

Hi!  

I have been soooo busy working on clip art and packets.  I uploaded a Dolch Word List / Sight Word packet with over 300 pages!  I had to take breaks from working on it and create other things, just because some of the pages were duplicates with just the words changed.  That got boring!

I had planned to take today off from the TpT thing and go to eat with the teaching assistant who worked in kindergarten with me for 21 years.  But she cancelled again.  She has Alzheimer's.  It is so hard to watch her become so different than the person I knew.  I know it has to be so scary for her.  She is scared to go places she isn't familiar with and with people whom she doesn't know.  (That is just about everyone now...she doesn't remember her children and grandchildren all the time.)  I am just heartbroken now thinking how soon she really won't be here.  It is like mourning someone who is still here physically but their person, their soul is almost gone.  

So for those of you who pray, please pray for her and for her friends and family who love and miss her.

Toodles!

Ups and Downs

Following through with blogging is just not something I have been able to do.  I think of things to write about but then decide no one really wants to read it.  Well, now I am going to just write and whoever wants to read it can, and if not...their choice.

First to play catch up on the news. The new job at the hospital I wrote about did not work out.  Now I just have to figure out how to adjust my budget to living just off my retirement.  I just am not ready to go back out and try again any time soon.

I got a Yorkie in November of 2012.  He was a gift from my daughter near the end of my treatment for throat cancer.  His name is Milo and he is a real sweetheart.  He has some bad habits (we are still working on a few things!!), but I just love him.  This past January, we added another baby to our household.  Belle, another little Yorkie, was sort of a rescue puppy.  The family that had her before us, for a year, didn't take much time with her.  She was undernourished, matted and was content to just sit in a little playpen all day, she didn't like being held.  Milo didn't really take to her and she pretty much ignored all of us.  She would play with a little ball and lay by herself.  She has really come out and gotten attached to me.  She sleeps with me and wants to lay with me every time I sit down for a few minutes.  She and Milo get along well.

And we let her have puppies with a friend's dog who is a Yorkie Poo.  According to the internet, the puppies are Yoo Yoo Poos.  Well, she had 3 and 2 lived.  One boy and one girl.  The owners of the daddy dog wanted a girl and we kept the boy, Gideon.  So we now have 3 dogs.  Yikes, they do keep me busy.

Another bit of news is the job front.  I was doing volunteer work at a nearby hospital.  I ended up taking a part-time position doing a good bit of the same type work, but also had to learn a completely new job, so when needed, I could fill in.  Well, lets keep it simple and say after 4 months of probation, it didn't work out.
So now I am back at home with the fur babies full time.

I am trying to get back into my Teachers Pay Teachers creating, but my computer is giving a little trouble.  I have been trying to work out whatever this latest kink is on my own.  Hopefully I can, because I really do not have the money to take it in.

This month has had vet bills (puppies), grooming (big dogs), tags and trash permits. Also, I have to renew my teaching certificate (fee) and my TpT annual fee came out of my account.  So my computer has got to get going so I can!

I have some good ideas for new products for teachers to use when school begins....so off to work I go!

WOW! It has been quite a few weeks since I posted.

I have been busy training with my new job.  I have just not had the time or energy to keep up with this.  Hopefully I will get my life into some kind of order.  I am finally getting back into my drawing...my computer is fixed and my new software installed!  I have created some St. Patrick's Day clip art, Easter clip art and a couple other miscellaneous items.  May the Luck of the Irish be with you!!!

Blessings Abound!!!

Okay, I did not get my February packet completed and uploaded.  I have begun work on my March packet! Yay!!!  AND my drawing software (which was lost in my computer crash) was on sale this morning for $24.95!  I am SO excited to get this.  I was running the trial copy to be able to go ahead and work.

I just have to write something a little personal.  I have been working as a volunteer at Tanner Hospital in Carrollton for about a year.  I will no longer be doing this because....I will start work tomorrow in the same department with the same great people!  I am thrilled with this opportunity! And I am a little nervous, but this will pass once I make it in to work on time tomorrow morning!

2015 is really turning into a super great year! Lunch today with friends!

February Packet

Just doesn't look like this is going to happen as planned.  Might put it on hold and go ahead and begin some things for March.  Just can't seem to focus on this "heart-felt" holiday!

This too shall pass!  (Love this saying)

Toodles!

Drawing!!!

Good Sunday to all!

I have been working, yesterday and today to get my February packet ready to list.  I think I have everything ready except for the black and white/transparent images.  I usually drawing in color (because it is easier to shade and make the images a little more like I want).  But then I go back and make them with transparent or white with black outlines.   Not everything lends itself to transparent but if it is something I think someone might want to print on colored paper (hearts for instance), then I do try to provide that.

Fabulous Friday!

Hi Everyone!

I got my taxes filed!!! Yay ME!!

I sent emails and reference forms out to my fabulous five references! And 2 of them have already completed and sent in the online form (Thank you Vicky and Suzanne!).

I have been working on my February Packet.  It may not make it in time to be of much use this year.  If not, I will post it anyway and it will be there waiting for next year, right?  

I am including the free conversational hearts, color and black and white/transparent.   I am also working on some really cool striped/faded backgrounds.  I hope to make some color coordinated borders.  I already have some some cupcakes with hearts, sprinkles and swirly decorations.  These will all be featured in black and white and color.  I want to get all my Totavi Toodle Kids dressed up for Valentine's and let them hold some hearts.  I also plan on an Abe Lincoln Toodle and a George Washington Toodle.  So I still have some work to do before it is ready to load.  

If anyone is looking for anything in particular they would like to be included in this or any future packets, please comment on here, on my Facebook Page ( https://www.facebook.com/totavitoodles?ref=aymt_homepage_panel ) or email me (totavitoodles@gmail.com).  

Thanks for all your help!  Have a great weekend!!!  Be sure to give someone a big Valentine's Day Smooch!

Lavonia

Teachers Make A Difference

This video is awesome! Anytime you get down on yourself and feel like you aren't making a difference or don't make any money compared to your friends, pull this up and watch it again! You rock Taylor Mali!

THANK YOU FREEBIE POSTED!!!

FREE CONVERSATION HEART CLIP ART

Just click on the link to go to my store for my free clip art.  It will only be listed for the next 24 hours as a free product!

Thanks to my followers!

Lavonia
Totavi Toodles

Tuesday Morning

Tuesday's child is full of grace...

I looked it up and yes, I was born on a Tuesday.  Full of grace....mmmm maybe on a good day!

Having posted on this blog and linking from Facebook, both my personal and store pages, I am really not getting a great deal of exposure.  I finally have 100 followers on my Totavi Toodles Facebook page. WooHoo!!!  I am considering what to do to celebrate.  Maybe a freebie?  Any ideas?

Right now though, I am enjoying my time with my puppies and coffee.  I am chatting on Facebook with a friend who lives miles away, 73 to be exact.  I was noting that when we were growing up, there wasn't any such thing as a blog.  We had a few TV channels to choose from and maybe one television in the house to watch.  If you had heard the term "blog" you would have probably thought someone misspoke the word "blob".  We did not have calculators, internet, computers, wireless anything, cell phones, Facebook, Skype, etc.  I am amazed at the changes in technology in my lifetime.

So on here or on my Facebook page Totavi Toodles Facebook Page, please let me know how I should celebrate reaching 100 followers!  Yipee!

Blogging for Dummies!

I had a blog a couple of years ago when I went through a medical issue.  I basically let it go stagnant as I got well (Praise the Lord and many hours of treatment). Now, as I am creating and listing new activities and products on the Teachers Pay Teachers site, I hope I will find it helpful to guide my work through another online blog attempt!

My computer that I draw and create my educational activities with, has been down for about a month.  I should get it back tomorrow.  I am anxious to begin this year (a month late) with some of the ideas I have been kicking around in my head.

Let's get this party started!