Nothing New...Yet...

Still back at school. Still don't mind my job. It's nice to have "nice" kids this year. And they do just what I ask them to (mostly). And I can actually help students individually without chairs flying behind my back. It's very nice to be a teacher again:)

We had yummy barbecued dinner tonight...good ole veggie burgers and grilled corn on the cob...yummy!

While there's nothing new to really report on, I'll share a disappointment...about books...you see, tonight I'm going to be finishing my book "Prodigal Summer" by the Poisonwood Bible lady...I read the book a good 5 or 6 years ago and it's so funny because I remembered thoroughly enjoying it but as I've read it again, it's like still all new to me (except for the general gist). But the disappointing part is that I only have a chapter or two left and then I'm done hanging out with those folks I've been spending my evenings with...Then I have to find another good book match and get to know a whole new group of people...Maybe I need to find a good series I can get into...As a kid I read those series books, there were all the Ramona Quimby books, the Bobsey Twins, and who were those cheerleader girls...oh, Sweet Valley High (Jill had like the whole set and so I would steal them and read them all). I accidentally came across a sequel to a random book I had picked up at the recycled book shop in town, which was fun because I had been wondering what ever happened to those friends I made down south just outside Appalachia...What does this mean? Is this a reflection of my life? Is this why I have a hard time making new friends? Because I like to stick with the comfort and the drama of those lives I already know? Hmmm....On that note, I'm taking suggestions for pleasant reading selections...any ideas?

Back to School

We're back into the swing of things at school! The kids started yesterday (Monday) so I've had two days with them and no complaints! I have this fabulous feeling that I'm really going to be able to teach AND enjoy my class this year, which is a tremendous relief. Our first three days of school are early dismissal days for the kids so that after school we can have conferences to meet families and set some goals for the year. The neat thing about this class is that some of the kids I had already in Kindergarten so I know their families and other families I recognize from them coming on field trips and volunteering in the school. So I have a class full of eager parent helpers and support. That is awesome!
Our theme for the beginning of the year is Soaring into the School Year and we're actually expecting a real live Hot Air Balloon to blow up, launch, and even carry 8th graders up a few at a time....How cool is that?!...Thanks to "kayaking Jenn" for donating her hot air balloon trip wedding gift to the school! I'll post pictures, but you all have to cross your fingers for great weather on Thursday or Friday so this launch can actually happen.
Travis and I are dog-sitting for my sister's dog, Tahoe. He's a big, lovable Doberman who is Not used to being on a leash and wants to eat squirrels. He's been dragging me down the block to the park and typically once we get there, still leashed, he'll start barking at squirrels and attempts to "get 'em." What a meanie! Our couches are covered with all of Trav's text books because Tahoe would much rather sleep on the couch than on his cushy LLBean bed...While I don't like to sit on a couch that smells like dog or anything, I kind of don't mind being able to cuddle with a dog on the couch, especially on these chilly-type days we've been having. But, I guess that's not allowed. Poor Tahoe...
Let's see how many blog posts I can go without complaining about school this year!

The End

My Experiential Health and Healing Class

Ahhh...finally I am done being a student! We had our marathon final class on Friday followed by a graduation ceremony on Saturday and I Almost even have a new degree to show for myself...(it will be mailed in 3 weeks), which stinks because the other end that is upon me is the end of summer, yes, already, and it would have been nice to have been able to get the appropriate salary starting with my first paycheck, but alas, my graduate school is not quite on top of things so once my papers are all read and handed to the lady in charge, then I believe I can get my transcripts sent to my Human Resources...what a pain in the neck!! But I'm done.



So yeah, I'm back to school tomorrow (Wednesday) for professional development and getting the classroom all ready and whatnot...It's not such a bad thing I guess. I am honestly far more productive when I have a schedule...I accomplished much of what I set out to do this summer, the biggest exception being that damn wedding album. I figure why should I have to do it if I don't want to? So I've read mindless books and wasted away the last couple of days getting caught up in fiction...Nothing really worthwhile...I read Nicholas Sparks' "The Wedding" which was actually a very nice story, start to finish (every husband should read this...I told Travis he should really read it and his reply was that I should really read what he was reading (some car magazine), oh well...And now I'm finishing up a sequel to some random book I had read a few months back about this woman in a small southern town, yadda yadda...sucks you right in though and that's what I like in a book.



Cheers to a new school year, starting fresh, a new class, no more graduate work....I feel a good year coming on!!

A Weekend Away...

Rockport, MA

Well, we've been a rather busy crew here...Backing up to last Friday, I went to the beach with Tasha and vegged for a couple of hours after which we treated ourselves to yummy ice cream (yes, Vicky, the Full Fat kind because, you know...) Then on Friday night we met a bunch of folks at a carnival where Trav got to ride the "Cliff Hanger" or something along those lines with his nephew...think of the swings except you're lying down flat on your stomach with arms stretched out like superman (optional)...after some quality nephew time consisting of watching them go on rides, we caught up with a second party of carnival goers (trav's softball friends and significant others) for fried dough (yum...in moderation, of course, which pretty much means once a year a the carnival) and games...While I'm not a big fan of carny games, that's what the boys seem to like. I did play Whack-a Mole which I used to win, no fail, back in the day, however, even upon striking each freakin' mole dead-on, someone else won...we'll call him the prize hog of the night...My beloved did eventually win me a three foot tie-dyed snake (no you can't have it)! If I recall correctly, he successfully knocked 3 blocks off the platform...hmmm, or was it milk bottles?? Whichever is more challenging I'm certain is the one he did...

Saturday morning we left bright and early(ish) to head up to Salem, MA for one of Trav's high school buddy's wedding. We were able to have a stopover at Amy's which was nice:) I got to see that cute little Nolan boy in person and what a cutie little ham...I told Jen today that when I saw him, he was smaller than I had imagined. I guess that when you only see close ups and pictures from down on his level and just his head shot approaching the camera, he appears bigger. I'm glad he's still just wittle.

The wedding was nice but even nicer was getting to drive out to Rockport on Sunday for a stroll through the village and a little sunning time on the rock jetty. I like it there:)

And, the busy sociallites we are when we really set our minds to it, we stopped in Boston for Sunday night and stayed with Trav's friend Sage who has embarked on a guitar making odyssey...pretty impressive. Below is a picture of Trav getting his first ever accordian lesson from his buddy. We made it home Monday afternoon exhausted. And today I had a nice visit with Jen and Molly...we had a nice little picnic in the front yard and a swim in the back. I meant to take a picture of Miss Molly in the pool to post on my blog, but I didn't...I'm certain Jen will be updating her blog at some point...any day now...(wink, of course!)

I go back to school in 1 more week. But, I'm seriously okay with it...If I endured last year's class, I can endure anything!! (Though I'm only just really getting good at having summer...)