Hello. It's been awhile. Again.

These last couple of weeks have been a little wild.  The day after my last post we were hit by a severe storm that torn up our area and left a path of destruction in its wake.  We are still cleaning up trees, branches, leaves, etc.  We were lucky.  No damage to our home or property.  My cousin's truck was completely crushed, thankfully their house was untouched.  We lost our power for a couple days and the internet was down for almost a week.  Again, lucky.  My aunt and uncle and my brother's family were without power for several days.  The poles and utility lines just down the street from us were such a mess, that the area was out for almost two weeks.  The storm was short... about 45 minutes, but WOW did it pack a punch!  I really wish I had pictures, but I was quite content to hang out at home.  There were so many trees and wires down, it was tough (and dangerous) to get around.    

Poor tree!  Many were just knocked over.

What I woke up to.  Branches in the driveway... Minor!

The week following the storm was a whirlwind.  I had my cousin's daughter for the weekend (and this past weekend as well!) and we celebrated my parents' anniversary.  Phew, I am happy to say it was a big success!  They were pleasantly surprised and had a nice day.  On Monday, I took my cousin's daughter to one of the mansions down in Newport and we spent a couple hours doing an audio tour and walking around the grounds.  I can't even imagine this being a "summer home" that was only lived in for 8-12 weeks out of the year.  Just mind boggling.

The "backyard" of the Elms in Newport

Part of the garden area

The rest of the week was spent working in my classroom and doing work for my district.  I actually feel quite accomplished in that area (which is good, since my kiddos start Friday!)  I am picking away at that list of Poo2Do.  It's not all going to get done, but I am still trying!

Almost ready!

To finish catching up...This past weekend we made favors for my cousin's upcoming wedding.  I realized I had better get my act together since her shower is this weekend!  I am crafting away again... and looking forward to posting pictures of what I have been working on :)

Tomorrow I am doing one last hurrah at the beach.  Another thing I can cross off on that list! Just trying to enjoy these last few days of summer before returning to reality. 

The Pressure is On!

August "Bucket List" list of Poo2Do (because, let's face it... a Bucket List is, theoretically, a list of things one would WANT to do.  This?  This is a list of things that are keeping me awake at night!)

Home
1. Finish the office walls (including the wainscoting!)
2. Get the office put back together... Clean it up, wash the windows, and put things back where they belong
3. Kitchen... wash cupboards and deep clean floor (involves scrubbing on hands and knees)
4. Get the dining room put back together (need to finish office first!)

School
1. Set up classroom
2. Apple Bags and Cubby Labels
3. Welcome Back packets
4. Plan Book
5. Grade Book
6. Curriculum Alignment
7. Book Bag
8. National Board

For ME/Personal Life
1. Spend time with niece
2. Beach Day
3. Make wedding guestbook (not for me...but I will enjoy doing it!)
4. Plan and host my parent's 49th Anniversary party
5. Get together with school friends (where did the summer go?)
6. Keep to an every other day running schedule
7. Read one more book!

There's not supposed to be a comma after August, but I laughed anyway!

5 on Friday... It's Time

July 31st is the end of the summer.  Oh, I know the hot days will still come and that, "technically", I am still on vacation.  BUT... It's time to face the music and start thinking about what I want to wrap up at home and what needs to be done for school.  August 21st is the first day; I can get back into my classroom on August 12th.  That is soon.  Too soon. Oh, the painful reality of it all!

Five professional goals I have set to get me organized and back in the groove  (because, hey, I have to start somewhere!)...

1.  I actually did something school related this week.  I signed up for the annual Alphabet Exchange over at First Grade Found Me.  I LOVE this project and can't thank Chrissy enough for organizing it each year.  It's a fabulous way to kick off the new school year.  The kids just love it!

2.  National Board Certification... I am trying for re-certification this year.  It's overwhelming to look at all the paperwork.  It's overwhelming to think of the work that goes into what needs to be submitted.  It's overwhelming to just START.  I have not been neglectful in thinking about what I have to do, but I need to take the plunge and begin.

3.  Oh, the book bag?  The one I carried home six weeks ago and has sat beside my office chair patiently waiting for me to unpack it?  Yeah.  I should probably do that.

4.  Same with the pile of manuals and books under my desk.  Things need to be done with those.  I forget what things, but I'm sure I dragged them home for a reason.  

5.  Back to School packets.  I need to update and print a copy so I am ready to go when I have access to a copy machine.  I am hoping this is the least challenging thing on the list.   

So that's it.  A list of things that will carry me through the next few weeks.  There are more things to be done, but I should start with those.  I'm going to need some serious time management if I plan on accomplishing even half of what I have going on here.  It could be time for an August "bucket list"!

Hazy, Hot, and Humid

Hot.  It's hot.  I thought I would beat the heat by going out earlier in the morning. 9:30am?  Not early enough.  It had already reached 84 and oof... The Humidity! I think it capped out at 100% today.  Sweaty, very sweaty. BUT... I did it!  I kept my "date" with Jeff and completed Day 3 :)  I'm liking it so far.

As I went through my neighborhood, I couldn't help but notice all the great touches people add to their properties to make them stand out.  I'd love for my yard to look as good...

Perfect little archway

Cute weathervane!

Love the pops of red

Rain and thunderstorms are rolling through tonight...Hopefully tomorrow will bring slightly cooler temps!

Oh, Alright.

So far, this has been a great summer.  I LOVE being able to sleep in, eat out, and make my own schedule.  It's not to say I don't have stress, because well, that's life and life can be stressful.  During the summer, I try to be "breezy", but the "back to school" talk is starting.  Real life is waiting just around the corner.  There is "stuff" needing to get done.  Monday, I made the decision to be concerned about my weight again.  It's been a good ride, I've had my fun, but in the interest of getting back into my work clothes, it's time to put my big girl panties on and face the badness.

9.2, y'all.  The badness is 9.2 lbs gained since the beginning of June.  That's just rude.  It's amazing how fast it found me after I worked so hard to lose it!

So, where am I going with this?  Well, one of the reasons I go to Weight Watchers is because of the leader.  She is funny.  She gets it. I always leave the meetings with "something".  A new recipe, a funny story, a new product to try, etc.  Monday night, I left with this...

This is so true!  I should have it tattooed on my body.  This single sentence sums up what I struggle with All. The. Time.  Enough excuses, just get it done.  Make the plan and stick to it!

Priorities.... It's all about priorities.  Yesterday, I tracked my food for the first time in months and "scheduled" some time with Jeff Galloway (sure, I'll try ANOTHER 5k program, why not?).  I am sore today but feeling positive :)  I'll leave you with some pictures from my "wog" (walk/jog). 

This is the beach area that is just a mile or so from my house.  I've mentioned it before... It's one of my favorite places to go.  

So pretty!

I hate this hill!

My favorite part... a walking path that is shaded and peaceful.

A refreshing place to cool down a bit... even when it's HOT out!

Today, I am going back out there.  Jeff and I are on a break until tomorrow, so I'll just walk... I know it's only day 2 of my "life style change", but I'm going to try to keep the momentum going :)

A Crafty Week (AKA Getting it done!)

This week I decided to tackle some things from my list of "Poo 2 Do".  I have been inspired by all the bloggers out there and friends around me who have been working on summer projects.  My office has never been finished.  Not in the twenty years we have lived here.  It's sad really because we just ran out of steam (and money) as far as actually completing each room in the house.  The finishing part just hasn't been a priority.  To say I am SICK of half finished rooms is an understatement!  So... I decided that I would like to see some progress.  Which means staining and painting.  Neither of which I love to do.    

I am NOT neat when crafting!

Lots of boards to stain!

These boards will "someday" be the wainscoting in the office.  Originally the boards were bought for the front foyer but I made the executive decision to use them for a project that may actually get done (finishing the foyer is just a dream and may never actually happen).  I stained the five packages we had (80 boards all together!) and need to go buy another five or six packages to go around the entire room. 

Yes, this is "better"

The office walls are were in tough shape.  Several years ago, we hired a "professional" to rebuild our porch.  To make a long story short, those white spots are the areas that had to be patched due to him cutting through the interior wall with a Sawzall from the outside.  Good times.  The fact that they have now been patched, spackled, and primed is nothing short of a miracle.  I have the paint and plan on finishing by the end of this week.  I am looking forward to looking at undamaged walls for the first time in years!

This was my fun project for the week :)  My cousin is getting married in a couple months and she asked if I could make her a brooch bouquet.  Since I am a fool always game for any new crafting challenge, I said I would try.  I think the final result is pretty darn good!  The brooches hold many special memories since they were collected from family members.  It was fun showing it off to the bride and our family this weekend.  I am glad she likes it and I can't wait to see her walk down the isle!

 The FINISHED project :) 

So, how about you?  Do you have plans, big or small, to get a summer project done?

Home Again, Home Again... DC Wrap Up

Sadly, "vacation" is over (it was a working vacation, involving a conference... but it was a vacation nonetheless).  We had a GREAT time.  It was exciting being with friends who had never been to DC before.  There is so much to do and see, we could never have fit "everything" in, but we tried.  After flying in on Sunday, we had the afternoon to sight see.  Being that we knew Sunday would have the largest block of time, we walked to the National Mall.  I love visiting the monuments.  They are such a moving tribute to those who have served our country (whether it be as president or through the armed forces).

With Monday being a little tighter on time (and with a little drizzly weather), we went over to the Museum of Natural History and The Museum of American History.  We buzzed through a couple of floors in each building... I could have spent days WEEKS just poking through all that the Smithsonian has to offer.  Fascinating, just amazing!

The First Ladies' Dresses... Love this display!

Tuesday was lonnnggg.  The work sessions began at 8:00 and we were booked solid through 5:30.  (We bunked the last session.... shhh, don't tell!).  We decided to go to the Holocaust Museum since the majority of us hadn't been there before.  There really are no words.  Moving?  Humbling? Overwhelming? Haunting? Emotive?  I just don't have the words to capture the experience.  There is a "Permanent Exhibit" we were unable to see (you need a pass to get in and there weren't any passes left for the day) that I would be very interested in getting to "next time".

Even though Wednesday was our return to reality day, we were able to sneak in some time at the Zoo.  It was a little drizzly, but totally worth it.  Again, we didn't see everything there was to see, but enough to say that we went and did enough without over doing it.

Obviously THE Boss.

I won't bore you with pictures of all the AMAZING food we ate, but I do have to share one picture....

How cute is that?  We went to a corner cafe and our coffee was served with animal crackers and this teeny picture of cream.  The perfect way to end our stay in DC!

And now this...