The Big Secret Revealed

When I start something, I have to finish it.  I have trouble putting it down until it is completely finished.  So here is what I have been doing with my life for the past few weeks during every single free moment I’ve had!

I had been getting emails and calls from people asking about pricing, etc.  for my photography.  I would direct them to my blog, but I felt that there was something else I needed.  So I created a gallery website to showcase all the information!  Here it is, I’m so excited about it!

From there, I realized that it was also time to get a new blog.  A blog where I could add large pictures and put as many up as I wanted.  So, I am excited to announce my new blog!  The name is easy to remember:  www.katiestasiak.com.

I won’t be posting on this blog any longer so head on over to the new blogsite and save it in your favorites.

Don’t be afraid to add comments for me so I know who is out there!  I love comments!!! 

It’s a secret!

I’ve been working very very hard on something that I’m very very excited about!  I’m keeping it a secret though!

Hopefully in the next few weeks…maybe sooner…I will be able to share!  It might be later rather than sooner because my computer is seriously slowing things up!  Ok, that was too much of a hint.

I wish I had the time like I did in the summer!

Living Life Sunny Side Up

My weekend at the lake was supposed to be relaxing and carefree. Saturday morning was rainy and wet but I was determined to go down there and have a great day. I was safe and buckled myself into my brand new Jeep. I said my three Hail Marys, just like my mom and grandma had always done before any traveling trip.

I was just past Jefferson City when I lost control of my car on the wet roads. I slipped and slid and finally skidded to the other lane  and slammed into the guardrail. My first thought was I wish that guardrail wasn’t there! Long story short, I called 911 and the State Troopers showed up. They took care of me and changed my tire. I was pretty calm, except for a few tears just looking at my poor car. My poor brand new car! I couldn’t look at it. It made me sick.

I’ve never been in an accident. Not a single scratch…nothing. Today I took her into the car doctor and they said she won’t be ready for 3-4 weeks! Wow. Everything works out though. Always! I’m so thankful Shawn’s dad has an extra car that he is letting him borrow. Shawn will let me use his car until mine gets fixed.

When I was telling a few friends at work what happened they said I looked so calm. Well, the thing is it really sucks that my car is ruined and my money has to go to the damages, but I’m seriously just thankful that guardrail was there after all. My angel was watching over me.

I’m glad nobody was with me and I’m ok. Material things are just that. I’m not going to put pictures of the damages. That’s depressing and the last thing I want to look at is that. Shawn ended up driving me to the lake the next day and we met up with our friends Megan and Chris. They took us on their boat and we had an awesome time.

When I was driving home after the accident, this Kenny Chesney song came on.

How weird that a song like that come on.  I really believe in angels.  Have I said that already?   I’m usually a really private person and wasn’t going to share this with anyone.  Here I am though, telling people because some people know and those that don’t will find out from others.  So here it is…on my blog. Ok, that’s all I’m going to say about the accident.  Let’s discuss happier things now.

Weather Ramblings

Have you ever noticed that no-matter-what-the weather-is, people are complaining about it? The winter is too cold, the summer is too cool, it’s too rainy, it’s too hot.  I like the weather and I like when it does weird things.  I like storms, I like sunny weather, I even like when it’s so scary out you’re not sure if you are going to blow away with a tornado.  Yep, I’m kinda crazy.

I love changing seasons.  The other day I said, “I can’t wait to get some pumpkins!  Fall is my favorite season!”  Shawn corrected me and said he thought that Summer was my favorite because I talked about how great summer was every day.  Yeah, but I like the cooler weather and the falling leaves.

Winter is my favorite too.  I’m a huge sucker when the weather man  comes on and says it’s going to snow!  I love looking out my window and seeing TONS of snow.  A lot of people hate it.  Why?  Oh, maybe because they don’t get off on snow days!

Then there is Spring.  What a great feeling going to buy all your flowers and getting your patio looking cute for all those nice warm nights you relax on it.

Summer is nice because you get to change things about your class routines and your classroom.  Teachers also don’t  have to work everyday.  DON’T get confused (LIKE MY DAD ) and think teachers don’t work in the summer!  I will say however, that I miss having the option to work over the summer. Oh and the pool is so great.    I realllly miss summer.  This weekend I am going to the lake for one last summer adventure!  I’m going to make sure to take tons of pictures.  I miss taking pictures as much as I did in the summer.   That’s what I miss the most.

Ok, I think Summer is my favorite.  I’m not that sure though.  I just love all seasons.

I just realized I already wrote a blog post about my love for the changing seasons!  Oh well, it was time for a new blog post anyway, right?!  Have a happy Labor Day Weekend!

Photography

Photography.

I love being behind my camera.

I’ve been busy with teacher stuff, but don’t think I have forgotten about my other passion!   In fact, I’ve really been missing it.  If anyone is looking for a photographer to take senior pictures, family portraits, or anything in between, let me know!  I have a few dates set and I am SO excited for what is ahead!  If you’re interested in my photography, contact me and I can give you more info!  Until then, here are a few of my favorites for you to enjoy!

My Classroom

It seems that I’ve been blogging a lot about school lately!  School….it’s all I have been doing lately!  I can’t think of a single day where I haven’t done something for my class.  For all the summer days that teachers are off, we really do make up for them with 12 hour days and working on the weekends!  The beginning of school is just a crazy and exciting time.

Over the summer the construction guys put in ceilings, painted, put in new windows, and fixed a few things around my room.  I’m still waiting on that smart board I was supposed to get last Winter Break, but they have to wait until all the construction is done before they can put it in.  All the construction in our building was being done up to the last minute!  There were days we had to wear only socks in the building because of the floor.  There was a day when my principal offered to help paint my room because the painters forgot to and then left!  On Meet the Teacher Night teachers were running around with the vacuum because the custodians were running around helping the construction workers put away their things!  We came together and got it looking good!  Except I’m still waiting on that Smart Board… 

Here is my classroom!

I’ve had several people tell me it looks like a “real” classroom now that my popcorn ceilings with wires hanging down are covered.  I will have to agree!

The pictures are dark because I took them on “Meet the Teacher  Night” and it was rainy!  Normally we have a lot of natural light coming through the classroom.

I love the way my polka dot rocking chair turned out!

The construction might be finished in my classroom…but in the building we are getting “Kindergarten Suites” , a huge Adventure Club wing, and our cafeteria will eventually be opened up even more.  It’s going to look great when everything is finished!

‘Twas the Night Before School

Tonight was “Meet the Teacher Night” at school.  I met 18 of my 19 kids and I am SO excited!  The year is full of new challenges and new excitement.  I can’t wait to meet each one of them personally and watch them learn and grow.  The BEST part of my day was when my kids from last year came to visit! I really had great families that I will miss SO much!

This is my first year where kids are actually in the same building that I am.  I loved the fact that I could say, “see ya tomorrow”!  My first year of teaching I taught fifth, and I could never see them once they left for middle school!  I can’t say that truthfully though, because I saw 6 of my fifth graders tonight alone.  They come back to visit me!   I would love to post pictures of my classroom but it has been a long two weeks….time to catch up on sleep.  I have a feeling it’s going to be a great-great-great year!!!  Check back for picutres because I am really proud of my room this year!

Haley’s Baptism

Today Haley was baptized!

Look at this cute family picture. Let me just tell ya… I love capturing these looks. 

Haley had a lot of family there for her special day.

Congrats, Haley!

Kearney

Kearney is another cousin of mine and she just so happens to be graduating this year!  I was so excited she wanted me to do her senior portraits for her.  We went out on the hottest day of August, but still had a blast!  From the bugs to the carousel lady, we  have  a lot of funny stories from this shoot!  I love the fact that even though you might not know Kearney- you can tell what kind of a person she is from her pictures!  Love it.

Let’s start with one of my favorites…

…and another…

Here is her video, complete with a song of her choice!!!

Please make sure you view in high quality!

Enjoy.

Dogs as Teachers

If you can’t tell by now, I’m a total dog person.

My dog and I are inseparable.  How cute is she?

Click the picture, she gets even bigger!

The look on the right is, “am I in trouble for being on the couch?”.

The other ones are, “here is my puppy face so you won’t get mad I’m on the couch.”  It works on me I’m sad to say.

My mom sent this to me awhile ago.  I think other “dog people” out there might enjoy it.

If a Dog Were Your Teacher…

Some Good Rules for Life, from a dog’s viewpoint:

• When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
• Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
• Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
• When it’s in your best interest – practice obedience.
• Let others know when they’ve invaded your territory.
• Take naps and stretch before rising.
• Run, romp, and play daily.
• Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
• Avoid biting, when a simple growl will do.
• On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
• On hot days, drink lots of water and lay under a shady tree.
• When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
• Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
• Eat with gusto and enthusiasm and stop when you have had enough.
• Be loyal.
• Never pretend to be something you’re not.
• If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
• When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

It’s so funny because ever since I read this, I’ve noticed that Scarlett always stretches before she gets up.

Every time!