First day; 3rd Edition

I can't believe I'm starting year #3. I just went through and read my 'very first week' blog entries and how excited I was to actually be in the classroom after a year and a half of learning about it. It was a much-needed reminder of how much I love my job and to keep the passion I had that first year!

Today was okay... the first day is always kind of boring as you're going through your routines. I found that I actually enjoyed seeing last year's students now in my 7th grade classes because they already know the routines. Hopefully they won't become too comfortable and go crazy on me. I already have a couple of 'rascals' that I'll have 'The Talk' with at some point this week.

I'll try to remember to take pictures of my classroom tomorrow to post.

This year's goal will be to figure out the best ways to 'refuel' when I feel like I can't make it. I'll have to brainstorm ideas--- any thoughts?

Awesome things of the moment:
-Amy and Paul were engaged!! can't wait for the wedding!!
-Talked to Annie on Skype last night
-re-painted the fireplace wall (so much better!)
-Diego's going to doggy daycare tomorrow. I hope he loves it!


Random picture of the day (can you tell my iphone has opened up a world of picture-taking possibilities?)

That creepy looking thing is a deer! It stared right at Kristin and I on our way home from the teacher party this weekend. Crazy!!

Exhausted.

...and school hasn't even started. A bit of an overwhelming, "How-the-heck-can-I-cover-everything?!" kind of week.  I am thankful for God's grace and strength, my wonderful friends at work who helped get me through this week, and past students/parents whose joy at seeing you again help remind me why I was called to be a teacher.. Our brains are full, our eyes are twitching, our rooms and plans not quite there yet. But you'll find a smile on our faces and hope in our hearts for the best year ever.

I admit, that was a little cheesy.

Didn't quite help reduce the stress to have to come home to this:

At least it wasn't something important, like a pillow, pair of shoes, or something electronic like it has been in the past.

BUT the frustration was immediately canceled out by the anticipated arrival of this in the mail:

And a little lab lovin' couldn't hurt either.

*Note-- Diego is NOT the fat one. 

Taco Tuesday

Started with a surprise Skype date at school with Ms. Webster who is all the way in Italy. 

That afternoon, guac was made. Good opportunity to use the SlapChop, which is a fantastic invention. 

*Note painted dogbowl in back. 

Took guac to Taco Tuesday at Kristin Auman's house, which was a much-needed stress relief. 

*Note Heather's amazement

Not Tuesday, but Wednesday's adventure: tour of Pacetti Road Pet Spa, where Diego has to now convince Dad to let him go to once in a while so Mommy can get work done during the school year.

Family Lovin'

Yesterday we drove to Orlando to spend time with the Checchias. What's a trip to Orlando without stopping by IKEA, the greatest place on the face of the planet? After scarfing down a heaping plate of Swedish meatballs and macaroni (I cringed when I logged the calories into the "MyFitnessPal" app-- last day of vacation!) we cruised the tastefully setup rooms of a coveted life in the city. If I lived in 375 sq. ft. of space, you'd better believe I'd outfit it in IKEA awesomeness.

We successfully bought an amalgamation (I love when I get to use that word) of frames for the couch-wall-- step 2... choosing pictures.

Ikea, thank you for helping me fulfill my dream of becoming a bookstore owner.

After gorging my face on Swedish meatballs, the party continued at Bucca di Beppo. Needless to say, I won't be eating for the rest of the week.

I think it's HILARIOUS when people have toilet paper stuck on their shoes. I was fortunate enough to be caught in this very situation.

Officially the Last Day

I admit it... I still love to listen to Dashboard Confessional once in a while. There was something about the screaming, whiny lyrics of Chris Carrabba that sucks me in every time. It never fails to bring me back to when you needed a song to play on repeat for after experiencing a breakup... and of course  singing at the top of my lungs coming home from the beach with my sister in the 1980 Volvo with the sunroof cranked open. 

So this week, while painting Diego's dogbowl in the garage, I cranked Dashboard loud and proud for the whole neighborhood to hear. I didn't stop yelling those emo lyrics when the elderly bug man came to spray next door. I even teared up a little when "Age Six Racer" comes on, because it never fails to be my end-of-summer anthem:

So long sweet summer
I stumbled upon you and gratefully basked in your rays
So long sweet summer
I fell into you
Now you're gracefully falling away 

That's deep, Chris Carrabba, real deep. 

Here are the pictures for the day--- the first ones to ever be taken with my new iphone that just came in:

Rachel's morning coffee process-- I love opening a new bag! I bury my face into it an breathe deeply... mmmmmm.

The new wall color-- but it's too blue! Painting over it this week with paint from Kristin's house because she's better than I am at picking out colors.