Summer Break

Summer break is officially here! Which means I am back to my full time job of being a wife and a Mom. My first year back to teaching, after eight years, brought both tears and satisfaction. I felt like I had my rookie year all over again and this time I had a husband and girls that I also needed to balance, along with my teaching schedule. I realize that I am blessed to have this part-time teaching position that seems to work around my schedule with young children.

My husband and I did have a mini get-away last weekend, an overnight in Detroit, minus the girls. We spent some quality time shopping and going to a Tigers game. Note we were able to go up to the counter and purchase tickets 1/2 an hour before the game, since they aren't playing that great this year.

So, now we are into the swing of things and I have my summer-to-do list all ready to go.I am wired to get things done and it is frustrating / stressful for me when things are hanging over me. So, I am one who likes to cross things off the list and feel that sense of accomplishment. Hopefully the more I get accomplished this summer, the easier fall will be when school starts again. I'm also trying to balance out the list with some fun things!

This far I have accomplished these things on my list:
1. Organized the girls clothes.
2. Switched health care providers.
3. Updated Insurance policy.
4. Organized M.Bedroom closet
5. Delivered clothes / household items to be donated.

Still to do list:
1. Finish sewing project for a client.
2. Organize photos.
3. Figure out preschool / daycare for my youngest daughter.
4. Exercise (okay - lose weight)!
5. Organize my sewing room.
6. Paint picture frame.
7. Paint girls play cradle.
8. Read.
9. Work on a meal plan project.
10. Knit & Sew!
11. Scrapbook!

June 10, 1988

Yes - I wrote the correct date! 20 years ago today I graduated from high school. I can't believe it has been 20 years, in fact, it just hit me earlier today. For some reason, I thought it had been 19 years. Must be a sign of old age! The amazing thing is that my parents, my sister and myself all graduated from high school on June 10 (just different years). How cool is that?! Go Central Columbia Class of '88!!

The Graduate

Schools out for summer! I will be posting my summer to do list next week! Here is my oldest at her kindergarten graduation! The last song the class sang was "Kin-der-gar-ten" and it summed up the year with a bang, "time to go to 1st grade!"

Finally

My new furniture came about three weeks, but I have been waiting to post the pictures because I got my New Orleans Street scene picture re-matted and framed. Notice how nicely it looks with the black bench from Marshalls! (Earlier post). For those of you who were waiting to see if I went with the red couch - I got a little nervous, so I settled for two red chairs. It works for us!

Did anyone see my coffee table centerpiece? My knitting projects! Book club met at my home the other night and we read, "The Friday Night Knitting Club" so I thought the knitting needles and yarn would be appropriate.

Commercial Break

Just wanted to post a picture of a great find of PJ's - found at the local Target Store. Notice I did not say Victoria Secret! I probably spent 1/3 the price on these comfy (and cute) capris and cami, compared to something similar at Vicki's. Got to love Target!

Garage Sale?

I think I live in the garage sale capital of the world! This is not always a good thing, especially if you are driving through a neighborhood and you are following a vehicle that suddenly stops to check out the goods for sale. Thankfully I haven't needed to report any accidents, but garage sales can be dangerous.

Anyway, I'm just not sure if garage sales are worth it. Yes, I must admit that I have had my share of garage sales in the past, but I haven't been very successful at finding the good deals. It seems like most people who get the great finds go regularly and they check all the sales out. Currently, I don't have the time to do that. Plus I would be taking two little girls who happen to want every toy that is for sale. The limited time and the girls make a bad combination.

Recently I have been driving through my share of neighborhood garage sales, looking for a specific item - a black bench for our living room. Of course I couldn't find one. However, I did happen to get a great deal on a bench at Marshall's. I will be sure to post a picture soon. So, what is your thought on garage sales? Any advice would be great, since it seems like they are here to stay in our area.

Flowers

Yesterday was special. Yes, it had a lot to do with the fact that it was Mother's Day and my girls and husband treated me like a queen, but it was more than that....it was just knowing that I am so blessed and loved.

I know for many people that Mother's Day can be bitter-sweet, especially if they have lost a Mother, or have struggled with infertility, singleness, loss of a child, etc. For me it was a reminder to hug my girls a little tighter and appreciate the blessing that my husband is to me. My sweet husband stood outside in the pouring down rain and grilled chicken for our Mother's Day meal.

The pictures show the flowers that were given to me. The red roses are beautiful, picked out from my girls (because they know red is my favorite color). But, I'm just as excited about the card of flowers that my oldest daughter made me. Nothing melts a Mom's heart more than the sweetness of a child's homemade card.

I hope yesterday was special for you! I hope you felt loved and blessed by others!