How Did I End Up Here?

My latest obsession

is redecorating my home. It is in dire need of sprucing up, and I'm in the mood. It's a big job, and I'm sure it will be a work in progess for quite some years time. But I'm up for it!

It all started on Pinterest and this picture.

It's been on my mind for a long time. And in the end, somewhere in my house will be a similar display. I need it.

I'm not going all new, I'm repurposing. Recycling. Using found objects. And it makes me happy.

And running across this quote over the weekend even reinforced my thoughts.

I love this.

 

Even after an amazing, relaxing 9-day vacation . . .

Even though I may have forgotten to set my alarm for my first day back . . .

which meant I did not have time to have my cuppa joe before school

Even though when I arrived in my classroom it was completely torn apart 

and I had to spend 15 minutes getting the stupid document camera set up . . .

Even though I didn't quite remember what I was teaching in pre-calc until the bell rang . . . 

Once I looked up from my non-caffeinated stupor at the faces in front of me, it hit me.

I love my job.

My girls.

Em came home this weekend for her birthday celebration, and we had a blast. The only problem is the time just goes by too quickly. A weekend just isn't enough time, I tell you. 

We had coffee @ Grammy's both days, got to see a great volleyball game on Saturday morning, went out for appetizers Saturday afternoon, raked leaves, had pizza and cake with the family, a quick photo op, hit Michael's for yarn for sissy, and it was time for them to leave. 

No complaints, just counting the days until they come home again. 

My favorite picture from the weekend. She is a diva, for sure. Great capture, Kevin!

Come to Mama . . .

Meet the newest member of the family, my 27" IMac with a 3.4 GHz Intel Core i7. I am in love, I tell you! And I know how sad that makes me sound, but I'm OK with it. I own my inner geek, if you will.

Setting it up was painless as always . . . with both computers plugged in all of my data and programs were transferred from one to the other. I played around last night with editing pictures, and I swear I heard angels. Fast? Oh yeah. Actions that took almost a minute done in seconds. And the fact I can have two windows open side by side? That's what I'm talking about.

Ran into a few glitches . . . my TB external drive isn't being recognized on the new computer, which is kind of a pain. But all the data is there, and accessible on the old computer, now known as Jenna's computer. Let's just say we're both VERY happy. Another glitch is I need a new version of Word, because my old was incompatible with the new OS. Minor, as I have the other computer set up at all times.

It's a love affair, for sure.

Is this thing on?

It's been a while, for sure. And it took getting sick to allow me the time to catch up on my blog. To say I've been busy is the understatement of the year. The century, really.

Since my last update I've . . .

• attended my nephew's wedding over Labor Day. It was truly the most beautiful wedding  I've ever attended, and I could not be happier for him. It was a full weekend of family and fun!
• started school. Can I just say the older I get the harder it is for me to "switch gears" and keep up with all that work entails?
• been soccer mom. Practice twice a week, and games on the weekends.
• joined a photography group in town, and volunteered right off the bat to help with a community service project, as if I have time.
• gone to the eye dr, dentist, and dermatologist. UGH. Then off to Urgent Care yesterday, to find out Jenna has a virus. Thank goodness for insurance!
• taken senior pictures for Jenna's daycare provider's daughter.
• attended open house at Jenna's school.
• went to a crop at my LSS with my friends from Central.
• went to the balloon festival.
• went to IKEA with Bill's aunt and uncle for an entire day.
• attended the first  professional development day for the school year.
• held the first MHS Photography Club meeting.
• had the entire family over for Bill and Kevin's bday dinner.

All that, along with keeping up with scrapping deadlines, helping to feed dad, and visiting mom on the weekends. Calgon?

I guess it's not surprising I got sick. I am trying to keep up the creative schedule from the summer as well as work. Not working so well.

There are so many things I want to do this fall. Hopefully my schedule will free up soon. For reals.

Can you feel it?

Fall is making her approach. And summer is making her exit. DANGIT. I can't deny it. The last week of summer. Here's the thing though. I like what I do. I look forward to seeing my students. I like new beginnings, and the school year is just that. I like the people I work with. I like the routine of school.

The mornings? Well I hate those. That's all.

My friend G and I traveled to Chicago last week for three days and went school shopping with Emily. We had a blast! It was my only trip away from Jenna, and while that was tough and I missed her, hanging with adults was fun. Em shopped with us every day, and Kevin joined us in the evenings after work, and one night Lauren even joined us. Here's my favorite pic of the three ladies. Had to put it on a layout.

And here's hoping this becomes an annual trip. It makes the idea of going back to school much easier to take.

And here are the kids.

Au revoir, Chicago. And summer. Hello school.

 

 

There is only one you.

I love you, Bean.

The Story of Mice

First up,  my layout du jour. Using the SC July kit again. Three down, three to go and kit is killed.

If you're doing any scrapping this weekend, check out the challenges on the Sassafras blog. Prizes involved!

And on with my story. So the other night Bill went out to cook my chicken shish kabobs only to find out there was a family of mice living in our grill. I guess it's been a while since we used our grill. It's been a while since we've been HOME long enough to use it!

Bill put on these industrial-length gloves that reached his elbows, and was holding these really long tongs. All the while standing a good 10 feet from the grill. You can only imagine the look on his face. Momma mouse had three young-uns hanging from her, and one made it's great escape out the bottom of the grill. Then Jenna and I started our whine. Would that baby survive without momma? Was it OK? We're pathetic, really. And we looked to Bill to fix it. I'm not sure how he could have handled the job, given his proximity from said grill.

Finally they all made the great escape on their own, as we watched. We then put the lid back down on the grill and tried to figure out how we could dispose of it. The grill, that is. Because I'm quite sure I will never eat food prepared from it again. We broiled the kabobs in the oven, and they were delish. If you know of anyone who needs a gas grill . . .

 

Enjoy your Friday. And look out for mice.

 

Man. It's a scorcher.

And I'm feeling a bit closed in, just like the winter.  Have I mentioned how much I hate winter?

So in my boredom, I've decided to challenge myself to 30 layouts in 30 days. I have been a scrap-failure this summer. No time! And to be honest, I've taken a break from lugging my camera around with me, which means I don't have a ton of pictures. So I figure if I can get 30 layouts done I won't feel like such a scrap-reject. The only problem is I believe I have forgotten how to scrap. Wish me luck on this.

And when I contemplate where 30 days will put me in terms of remaining summer vacation . . . well, I get a bit panicky. OK, a LOT panicky. I won't cry here, I know it would be awkward.

Here is layout #2 using the July kit from Studio Calico and a snap from my IPhone. And yes, I am still in love with my phone. And then some.

Have a great Thursday, and stay cool!

What I Love . . .

scrapbooking again. I just haven't had enough time this summer, but on Monday I got one layout done, and on Tuesday I got 4 layouts done. Can't share them all yet, but man I have missed it. Here is one I did using the Studio Calico kit for July. Not the greatest of scans, but you get the idea.

 

CHA previews. It's high holiday in the scrapbooking world and the midseason releases are being revealed. Makes me all excited to hoard buy the new lines!

My IPhone. The love affair isn't over, people. 12-step program, here I come!

The Killing on AMC. My brother told me about it, and man I am hooked. I only saw the 2nd half of the season online, and will watch the whole series on rerun every Sunday night.

Pinterest. Man, I can kill so much time looking for inspiration. And can I just say I even have the app for my IPhone? Shut the front door!

My Tassimo. I am in love with an iced coffee drink right now, and Chai Tea Latte.  YUM.

Staying up late and sleeping in. Summer is my season, to be certain.

Enjoy your Wednesday!

p.s. Happy Birthday, Hayley!