busy doesn't stop over the summer

It seems like the past 2 weeks have not only flown by, but they've been really busy. What else would you expect from me? Well it has been productive busy. We've got the countertops ordered, the sink is in the garage, the refridgerator is changed out, the wallpaper is completely off, the old stove is out, the walls are cleaned and ready for spackling holes and then a coat or two of primer, then paint. The new counters will still take another 2-3 weeks. Bummer, but new and finished will be worth the wait.

I've also been asked to edit the literacy standards for my school district. That has been a lot of work also. I'm working with 2 other colleagues, and they hopefully want them next week. I've been reading, editing, moving things to different order, and then I've said I would type and change the edits. The bad thing is my laptop is giving me fits. It had better not have a virus.

Last weekend I also went on a well deserved, scrapbook weekend. I should have finished a project that is about half finished (yes, the Oprah book,) but decided to start on the photo carousel project for my Baltic Capitals trip from last summer. This is really a "right up my alley" project with all the little doo-dads on it. I'm afraid that I'm actually going to run out of the different elements I want to use. I guess then a bit of shopping will be in order. A lot have been things I've been collecting and holding on to for years.

I also worked on a little spirit lifter for my aunt who had surgery for breast cancer. I have photos of that, but as I said, the laptop is having a temper tantrum.

It's been a flurry of activity here, but I've managed to maintain my Farmtown farm on Facebook. I guess since farming is in my blood, I'm doing pretty good. In one week, I'm almost to level 25. Do you play Farmtown on Facebook? If so, I'd love to see your farm. I'm saving coins to upgrade to the largest plot of land then I plan on doing some major decorating. There are so many great farms on there, I hope I can do my own farm justice.

I've also been reading need to update my book blog with all my newest titles.

Hope your weather is not as scorching as it is here. We went from 60's to 90's overnight. So many people were complaining about it not feeling like summer, well it does now and the air is running all the time. Hope it cools down just a tad.

Take care everyone and enjoy these lazy,hazy summertime days.

If I only had a hammock

I'd be hanging around in hammock heaven. Today's weather has been gorgeous! Absolutely perfection! Around 80, soft blowing breeze, sun most of the day, with some shade, and the best kind of hammock day you could ever imaging. I had to do just that, imagine. We used to have a hammock, that was until it shreadded to pieces. Rope does that you know, but today, I can remember the bliss of a snooze, a cold drink, and a good book while gently rocking back in forth under the shady trees.

Ahhhhhhhhhh to have a hammock again.

Do you geocache?

If you ever look down the sidebar of my blog, you may have seen this little icon. If you've looked closely lately, you might have noticed that the number of finds is on the increase.

Today we stopped, and finally found one that had been eluding us for about a month. Third time's a charm though, I found it and we didn't even have the GPS with us. It was the elusive nano cache. A nano is as small as a pill capsule. Probably about the size of an ordinary Tylenol caplet. Tonight we actually loaded up a few new caches into the GPS and found 3 of those microscopic nanos! 4 was our total finds tonight, but we found a travel bug too. Now it is our responsibility to get it moving to a new cache and closer to its goal of making it to Florida. It originated in Wisconsin. It has made it one state closer.

Anyway, if you have a portable GPS or even I think a blackberry or Iphone, I think there are now aps available to use that to geocache. Get out there and have fun. It's a treasure hunt. It's cheap, once you have your supplies.

6 and counting

6 scrapbook pages in less than a week??? Yes! Can you believe it??? I certainly can't. It is almost starting to sound like the title of a TLC television show. I haven't seriously scrapped since either spring or winter break. Probably more like winter break. I think over spring break I helped my girlfriend get ready with packages for her scrapbook weekend; of which I am going to be lucky enough to attend.

So I guess I'm trying to get my groove back, and 6 pages is quite a start. So here is another for your viewing pleasure.

plus one

Another simple page. If I keep up with Jacque Larsen's idea that no page should take over 1/2 hour, I could get a lot of pages done. She also suggests that using white or light backgrounds because it focuses on the photos. This one I just love. Could it be the adorable little animals or the handsome man in the photo with me?

two more

This is our church's softball team. They play in a christian softball league and my son has been playing for a couple years since finishing high school. Each August there is a tournament.


A quick page to document a wonderfully, peaceful koi pond at the Garfield Park Conservatory.

another page

This has been sitting on my hard drive for a while. I was looking through my layouts file and saw this title and thought, why don't I have a preview picture of it. That's because I only had the 3 images in it, I didn't have any paper or elements with it. I guess I was supposed to be waiting for the perfect paper. I got that perfect paper in a kit called Triple Dog Dare. The whole kit has been retired, but you can get Jacque Larsen's pieces at the lily pad

So 2 pages in 2 days, vacation is good!

look

I did a scrapbook page. Albeit I scraplifted a layout from a Creating Keepsakes magazine I borrowed from the library, but it's a done page.

THis was a scraplift of Meg Barker. I am certainly not in the mood to list the supplies I used, and don't know if I'm even going to post it anywhere else online.

But here it is.

Help Laura get her groove back

Now I know there are a few people who read my rants every once in awhile, just no one hardly ever posts replies. While that is saddening, I also have to remember I'm doing this for me and not the replies.

WELL THIS TIME I NEED YOUR REPLIES!! I need you to give me some ideas that will jumpstart my creativity. If you've been reading, I've had a difficult year. I feel at times if I've had the life sucked out of me. I really feel I've lost my creative juices. I know creativity is an ebb and flow; that sometimes you've got tons of creative ideas and not enough time to get them all out and other times you've got nothing. Well this is where I feel I've got nothing.

What really is worrying to me is that in about 15 days I'm going off to a scrapbook weekend. I have a couple of projects I need (want) to get finished but they're a bit lackluster or as I'm feeling right now..boring. I don't want to work on that darned Oprah's Favorite Things journal. I don't have the urge to finish the Miraval spa trip digital book. I don't even think that I can muster up the courage to work on the Europe cruise photo carousel.

I need to get my creativity back, I want to do arts and crafts. I want to something fun and creative. I just don't have any ideas where to start. Please, PLEASE, I'm begging any of you to give me some ideas that will jumpstart my creative juices again.

If something works, I'll be happy to start posting some photos of my creative endevors.

Vacation....ahhhhhhhhhhh. Finally!

Vacation started today at 10:00 am. I didn't go out with teachers to celebrate. I've been sick and just wanted to get home. Packing and closing up a room isn't too fun when you feel horrible. It just figures that the last week of school I get sick. What a way to start vacation; sick. I don't dare mention it to too many people because they'd start thinking H1N1.

So my last thought of the school year was this: I hope I never get a class this bad ever again. It makes me feel really sorry for the students who where kind and did everything I asked. They had to be the buffers between the naughty kids, the constant talkers, and the overall problems. Those are the students who just didn't get their fair share of attention; I feel. Those are the kids who will just plain succeed because they've got it together and get lots of support from their families.

Now I don't know if I mentioned the fact that the major behavior student has been gone for a month. He was suspended with his brother for a racial remark. Instead of coming back after the 1 days suspension, they never come back. About a week later, the mom is in the office to talk to the principal. Are her kids with her, no. She's there to dispute the suspension 1 week after it was done and over with. The whole week that she never sent her kids back. I asked her if the children were coming back and her response was, "the last 3 weeks aren't important." Ok, so that's when we post test students, collect textbooks, and put closure to the whole year. I also mentioned that was not the first racial remark from her son, and that she should be concerned with the language that was coming out of her children's mouths instead of worrying about the punishment for the other child who got called the racial name. She only felt that those racial remarks weren't coming from her house.

Well I have to say that the last 4 weeks without the "problem child" were a Godsend. The classroom was much more peaceful and those "good kids" got their attention.

Jump ahead to today. The mom is now worried about her children's report cards. Not about the fact they were truent for 20 days. Not that her children lost out on more learning, not that she owed me 2 textbooks (to the tune of about $120), she was worried about their trashed up and completely used folders and notebooks. She also wanted the report cards. Would you have wanted to see those report cards with 20 days of missing assignments? Well just imagine, at least the one I issued wasn't any good.

Well off of this rant. This student is gone and this year is over. Now I'm going to relax and enjoy my summer vacation. Hopefully I'll break out the camera and take a few photos to make this blog more fun to look at.

clouds, clouds, go away

I was looking forward to a weekend with no plans and sunshine. Well, I got one of the two, no plans. I've really got nothing major scheduled. Can you believe it, me, busyizzie, has nothing urgent pending??? I've got a sweater I can knit on, some scrapbook mags to read that I picked up for the library or an orchid book or two to read up on. A trip to the grocery store is needed for a few things, but that's about it.

I'm thinking about getting out the GPS and the geocaching for dummies book and seeing about going geocaching for a few hours. I know Don wants the lawn cut but I think we can have 2 boys handle that. He stayed in bed until after 11. Lazy bum! Me of course was up early. Not as early as normal, I did sleep in a bit too, but not until after 11.

About to think what's for lunch and then plan my day. I do need to write each of my students their person, end of the year note. I always try to write each student a note so they know that I think they're growing up, or how smart they are, or just a nice note that allows them to feel special. Some students it is difficult to find just that special complement but if i write a few each day, I should be done before Thursday night so they can get them on Friday, the last hour of school.

Enjoy this last weekend in May. Since starting to type this, I saw a peek of sun.

Yipee!! 3 days off and 9 to go

The three day weekend is the calm before the storm. The storm of getting the students through to the end of the year, packing up the room, and getting on to summer vacation. Ahhhhhhhhh, summer vacation! I can't wait. This has been a long, hard year. I've had so many low in ability students and BIG discipline/behavior problems. I've dealt with bullying, group girl fights, and boy out of control.
I was asked if I wanted to go up to 5th grade. NO WAY!! I want to distance myself from this group of students. I'd rather go down to 3rd grade, which was an option, but I really wanted to stay just where I was, 4th grade. So luckily, that is right where I'm staying.

I think I mentioned before, I am going to work my way through the Rebecca Caudill nominees. This weekend, I've gotten through 2 more. These two were good ones too.

This one, The Motzart Question was my favorite so far. It was about a violinest who tells his life story and his parents' life story. You fall in, and feel you're right there in the room while he's talking. It is only about 70 pages, has pictures, and is a fast read. I highly recommend it for child or adult.



Emma Jean Lazarus fell out of a tree talks a lot about problems of that many young, junior high girls go through. The clique, when sometimes you're in and often you're out kind of problems.

Emma Jean is someone we can all relate too.


Moving on next to Naked Mole-Rat Letters. Also been trying to spend some time outside and did a bit of knitting. I've also totally been addicted to Bejeweled Blitz on facebook. Playing that WAYYYYYY too much.

Enjoy Memorial Day or your weekend where ever you are!

I love May 16!

Today is such a special day in my life. 22 years ago today, I was married to the greatest man! Then 5 years later I gave birth to my wild child.


This is my wonderful husband!



This is Brian, my wild, stubborn child. Don is crazy to let Brian jump over him.


Happy Anniversary to us. Happy Birthday Brian!

Only 17 more...

wake ups before I'm officially on vacation!

Finally a few photos

I've been really swamped trying to get everything done to finish up the college class. Next Thursday is the last class. I've also been trying to work ahead and get a bunch of grades into the computer for the 4th graders so that when it gets down to crunch time, I've got grades done and it will make report cards a cinch.

I've also taken a bit of a break from knitting. I finally finished the kimono and booties for a friend and coworker. I've even got photos! I've also been reading. I'm going to try to read all the 2010 nominees. If you are interested, this is the master list of titles and other important information.

My first title was Kimchi & Calamari.


As much as I wasn't sure if I would like this book about a Korean boy adopted from birth into an Italian-American family. It captured my heart from the beginning. I'm actually glad I got to know Joseph and his everyday problems. He's a boy in junior high but the things he went through weren't too difficult or too junior highish.

I've also finished up a knitting gift. This was a little cotton kimono with a simple pair of booties.



I've also found a photo that shows just how big my boys are getting.

I never really figured that Brian would be as tall as Doug, but there is just a chance that he's going to pass him up. Let me tell you, that just bugs Doug to no end.

Well the weather is getting nice around here and the trees finally have almost gotten all their leaves. The grass is green and with the rain keeps needing mowed.
I can't wait until school is out and I can start putzing around and just doing what ever I feel like it.

I guess that means I need to start thinking about my summer to-do list.
We are also considering a vacation. Although I'm not a sand and beach girl, for some reason the beach is calling me. I'm thinking outer banks, east coast vacation of just relaxing and enjoying what we can do for cheap.

Hope you also treat your mom extra well on Sunday. She deserves it. I am going to go cut some lilacs off of a huge bush at an empty house and give them to my mom with her card. I already gave her some pillows for her new glider.

Update

Still haven't finished the kimono.
Still haven't sewn on the button on my finished Finnish vest.
Need to pay bills again.
Oprah book is at my friend's and so are my supplies. I need to get some creativity.
Still reading Old Willis Place.
Picked up 2 more books and 2 Reading Teacher magazines from school.
Have 5 more college classes.
Still need to finish Don's business cards.

Lots to still do at work to finish up the school year.

Can't WAIT until School's out.

Major hand washing going on and no more high fives at school. Swine flu watch.

Finally saw A League of their Own again. Thanks library for a free 2 week rental.
Also watch Harold and Maude. They say it has a cult following. There were times Don and I looked at each other and chuckled. Rolled on the floor laughing when Maude refers to the Commie Jap Pigs! (Private joke around here!)

Ok, bed is calling and it's not even 10. Maybe if I get to bed early, I can get to work early and get filing and grading done, maybe. I also have to decide what to teach tomorrow night at the college. Something, I'll figure out something.

Until we meet again!

Back to the grind

Yes, today is the very last day of spring break. It was a nice week weatherwise at the end of the week. Today is drizzly, gloomy; kind of like my mood of returning to work. I have plenty of people who have counted the number of weeks until summer vacation. 7, there are officially 7 weeks until school is out. Now with the weather getting sunny and warmer, keeping 22 fourth graders focused on school gets much more difficult. There are about 3-4 more weeks of teaching the college students. That will be a nice change not to have to grade double papers, tests, etc. It just gives me a couple more nights to get caught up and ahead for the crazy last days of school.

I have enjoyed relaxing this week. I found the button for my finished Finnish vest. I just need to break out the needle and sew it on. Now that it's done, it's almost going to be too warm to wear a wool vest. I've also got a little Kimono done, just needs ends tucked in, blocked, and cords tied on. I'm swatching the yarn for a pair of booties. I love knitting, especially since I'm getting better at it, with new techiniques and pattern reading. I just hate swatching though. I've got 2 projects I want to finish up with that too. UFO's for you knitters!

I've got plenty of UFO's related to scrapbooking. I'm heading to my friend's house to work on one of those UFO's. I've got my Oprah's favorite things book to put together and journal about. I've also got the digital urge to work on my Miraval spa book too.

Before I do that though, I need to finish up Don's business cards, write bills, and finish a book I started called The Old Willis Place.

Well as you can see, way too much going on and way too many weeks before summer vacation. I've also got to plan a family birthday for Brian, there's also Mother's day, and placement of students for next year. That means I also have to have all the folders updated and in place before that happens.

Hope you have an enjoyable week. When I get a picture of that little kimono and booties, I'll definately post along with a picture of my finished, Finnish vest!

Ciao!

Great test results

The biopsy came back as NOT cancer. I couldn't have asked for anything better.
I have been so happy since hearing that. I really have had a lot of wonderful friends and family praying for these results. I can't ever thank them enough. I can't ever thank God enough. When you give the problem to God, he handles it.

Thanks be to God. God is so great!

sick days over

by my own choice. I'm going to work tomorrow. Things have been healing quickly and I feel good. Well, better than I could have ever expected.

Just thought I'm tell you out of all the movies I watched all weekend, Mama Mia was my favorite and I also enjoyed Nim's Island. Both are highly suggested. We used the sign along extra after watching Mama Mia. Don enjoyed it too, so it's just not a chick flick.

I was bummed that the disc for A League of their Own was so scratched it wouldn't play.

I did like A Weekend in Rodanthe, but I guess I was looking for a happier ending. Didn't quite expect that ending.

Well I need to get to bed because tomorrow's commute to work is going to be long. It's snowing here and I know it's going to create havoc with rush hour.

On the recovery front, drainage band removed, no bandages needed any longer, stitches should be coming out on Tuesday. Please keep praying for good results on the biopsy results.

Four days of work this week, 3 are teaching days, one parent-teacher conference day.

Adios!

My mind made it worse than it actually was

Surgery that was. Luckily, I was scheduled for 9:00 surgery and I was on time. We had to be there at 7:00 just in case I had to have any tests before the surgery. Well can you believe they actually made me take a pregnancy test. Guess what..... it was postive...........NOT! Could you imagine dealing with a new baby in the midst of all this crazy busy life????

Well I was very nervous about being fully put under and was considering twilight and once the doctor said that my neck would be tilted backwards that was it; I went fully under.

Don said surgery was a little over an hour. I remember going under, and I remember coming out. Why is coming out worse than going under? I think I woke up crying, coughing, almost felt like choking because of sinus drainage, and with the most horrible instanteous headache that wouldn't go away. After throwing up, a dark room, my ipod's relaxing songs setting, a bit of rest, and strong drugs to get rid of the headache, I was feeling better. That was until after the ride home. Sick again, bed for a nap then up until 10 last night.

I really can't believe that I was so stressed out over this. Today feel really good. I hope I'm not cursing myself by saying that, but I do feel good. I'm glad I didn't decide to teach today, but being up, showering, went out with Don for a couple errands and a couple movies. I feel a bit tired but hey it's 7:00 pm.

I am really pain free, but it itches to the point it's driving me crazy. Not sure if it's the incision or the tape that has been holding on the gauze to catch any drainage. I just know having the bandages off feels so much better. LOL I look funny with a little drain tube hanging out of my neck but this should be coming out tomorrow.

Anyway, I have a huge pile of movies we've rented this weekend for my viewing pleasure:
Slum Dog Millionaire (sort of disappointed, not as good as I thought)
Marley and Me (pretty people to look out, but brought back sad memories of putting my pets to sleep)
Nim's Island (in my queue)
Michael Clayton (in the queue)
Mama Mia (in the queue)
A League of Their Own (waiting just to hear Tom Hanks say "there ain't no crying in baseball")
Night's in Rodanthe (still in the queue, but I hope it's somewhere as good as a combination of Pretty Woman and Under the Tuscan Sun and I'll be as happy)

Now it's Friday night and there isn't much on that ever interests me. I love What not to Wear, but not so much in the mood and I absolutely cannot stand the Howie Mandel show, This is Howie Do it.

I'm going to say adios for now. Thanks for stopping by!