So much to learn...

.... so little time....

      I am absolutely obsessed with www.englishcompanion.ning.com. I've been perusing its discussions for a couple hours now, jotting down ideas that I'd love to try in the classroom. It's overwhelming to think that I'll be teaching two separate grades this year; I barely made it through last year and to think the load will be doubling? I am extremely excited, though, and know that God will bring me through it. I'm going to set attainable goals and will do my best to achieve them.


My map came today in a ridiculous fashion... didn't want to walk up to the door, eh?

Last night's dinner--- not quite the real thing, but as close as we're gonna get :)

Totally Inspired..

While I'm not particularly ready to go back to school, I love when the seasons are about to change and you get into a different kind of mode... so even tough the summer season isn't technically ending, I'm getting into a fall kind of mood as I prepare for teaching, Gator football, and the joy that autumn brings! What brought this on was the way it feels outside; don't get me wrong, it's still hot as you-know-what outside, but it was breezy, and it just kind of... smelled like fall. If that makes sense.

I have this feeling in my heart of change and new beginnings-- I can literally feel the excitement mounting as I prepare for a new year...maybe a combination of finally making this house a home through decorating, teaching a new grade this year, finally finding a church and deciding to run a marathon. Or maybe I realized last night that I'm turning 25 in a couple of months... and that's practically.... adulthood, or something. A quarter of a century! 

I love life.

Awesome things of the day: Waking up to your dog who thinks you're the coolest person on the face of the planet, the way your hair looks and feels when you get a haircut, and getting a new planner. 

Too many colors to choose from!! One will be a winner for the accent wall, though.

Look at that face! 

Last Week of Summer

I feel like summer just started--- and now it's coming to a close. I was mistaken when I thought I'd be bored out of my mind with all this free time to garden and learn how to play guitar. Instead, I had something going on every week! I intend to enjoy every second of my last week of freedom. Even if one of those days will be spent setting up my classroom early...

So here is a compilation of my end-of-summer goals:

Tackle the 'office' which conveniently turned into Rachel's storage room for junk

Finish the guest bathroom, now that I found a curtain to match the crazy blue I painted it last spring:

Decorate as much as I can, since it only happens over summer! Here's the new rug we got. Diego likes it, too.

Paint the dog feeder my lovely husband made

I should probably get going now, seeing as I slept in this morning :)

Lazy Days

The past two days have been heavenly. Since the air conditioning was fixed, I've been laying on the couch basking in its coolness, eyes glued to the computer and TV screens. And I don't even care that I've watched multiple movies and HGTV for hours on end--- it's like my body is preparing itself for school starting again, so I'm making sure my battery is fully charged.

Air Conditioning How I Love Thee...

Europe = best trip ever. There's no way to even begin to blog about it-- but it was awesome to have shared the experience of a lifetime with my husband and best friends. I praise God for giving us that opportunity!

I've been going nonstop this summer... what happened to the gardening, learning guitar, and decorating plans? I'm thankful that there's still two weeks to somewhat relax and get my life in order. Although it's difficult to think summer is already almost over, I have to admit I'm excited for this upcoming school year. I've been moved to the 6th/7th team which I think will be a welcomed challenge-- I have a good feeling about this year and feel like I've gotten over the 'hump' of being a brand new teacher. Maybe, maybe not... but I have hope that this year will the best yet :)

For the present moment I will continue to lounge on Kristin's couch watching HGTV. She has graciously allowed us to stay here while she's out of town so we don't have to melt in our house with a broken air conditioner in the middle of summer.