Sweet Summer!!!!

Even though it doesn't really feel like summer outside right now,  I am feeling it today.  This morning, I went back to school and finished paperwork, packed some more boxes and went out for lunch with Louisa.  It's so good to have the official stuff done and just some packing and cleaning left.  This Thursday, the 5-6 team is meeting again in Barrett.  That should be fun.   I will try to take pictures of my new room.

 On Sunday, I bought some more herbs and flowers in Fergus while Dan was playing ball near Brainerd all day.  (They won both games, in case you are interested. )  If it warms up tomorrow, I will get some of them in their pots.  One of my first graders gave me a nice gift certificate to a nursery and I spent that on some plants and a very cute shorty bird bath.  I have a nice square stone I will place it on and will post a picture of it when I get it in just the right spot.  If it's still cold, I will probably just paint some more blue in the bedroom.  

I love that floral skirt-don't you?  Soon it will warm up enough to wear skirts again!  

I love teaching but this is sure a nice time of the year!

Beachy Decor

I did a little summer arranging in the hutch.  I love decorating with shells and thought a lot about our upcoming trip to Captiva, Florida as I put this together.  Can't wait to pick up my own shells there!  The big conch is one that I purchased in Mexico on our Honeymoon, the starfish too I guess.  One of the sand dollars is from a Larson family trip to Mexico. The others are from Pottery Barn and Shari.  

Little Girls and a Robin's Nest

I love these pictures of the H and B girls enjoying the robin's nest a couple of weeks ago.  The robins have fledged, glad these little girls got a chance to enjoy peeking at them!  

Before & After Bedroom

I was getting tired of the khaki tan.

I decided to match the blue in the Shabby Chic comforter and shams I got a couple of summers ago.  The blue was nice but a little flat so I added a touch of gold along the paneling grooves and that gave it a nice patina as well as tying in with the gold drapes we added last fall.  I'm half way done-hope to finish up in the next couple of days.  The cool days have been good for indoor projects.

The blue is definitely brighter and little more updated.  

Last Day

The last day of school is over.  It was a good last 1/2 day but I'm glad it's over.  This year, I was really dreading the last day and there are probably many reasons why.  First of all, it's hard not to get attached to first graders.  They grow and change so much in the course of the year.  I actually made it through all the goodbyes without crying, not sure how I did it, but I'm glad as it just makes the kids feel sad anyway.  First grade is a very challenging but very rewarding grade to teach.  Our Kindergarten teacher is moving into my classroom and also gets a Smartboard.  She is excellent so the future is in good hands.  She was on unrequested leave since March and just found out a week ago that she has the first grade position and the SBoard so it was a nice turn of events.  I'm very happy for her.  There are some people that I am really going to miss working with.  

Tomorrow morning, I get to see my new classroom in Barrett for the first time!  I'm very excited since I'm a very visual person and I need to see how I'm going to use this space.  I have had some bad dreams about my future space so it will be good to finally see it.  All the rooms are a little different and I have been told that I will get another Smart board so I am VERY happy about that.  Another thing that I am excited about is my new 5th grade partner,  she is fantastic!   We have 5th grade homerooms but will also teach 6th in the afternoon.  Well, that's enough rambling.  If you read this far, thank you, this was a post that was mainly for me and a little bit of closure for my year.  I am looking forward to summer, a trip to Florida, seeing more of my family and friends and digging in the dirt!  Happy Summer Everyone!!!! 

New Dining Room

When you walk into our kitchen, this is what it looks like.

Rearranging & Estate sales

I got a wild hair and decided to move furniture around.  Dan was willing to help so it was fairly quickly.  We moved the dining room table to the living room in front of the bay window.  The red chair went to the corner of the living room which was empty before.  The love seat and coffee table are sitting in the spot where the dining room table used to be.  Everything seems more spacious and it's fun to change things up now and then.  Not sure if we'll keep it this way come winter when we will try to use the fireplace again but for now, we like it.

I predict this corner chair will be the coveted cat napping spot.

Way to put a positive spin on that!

I got this little pillow at an estate sale this morning.  I was invited to the pre-sale last night but no, I was too busy taking a nap.  I should have gone, there were ton's of fun items left today and I can't imagine what I would have found last night, but maybe it's just as well.  I went home with a nice variety of items too numerous to start naming.  I also got to see a very lovely house on Pelican Lake near Ashby which recently sold thus the estate sale.  After that, I headed into town and bought some plants at the hardware store and meat and cheese at Ashby produce-love that place.  Then I swung by the cemetery to see if the asparagus was up and yes, it was!  Enough to scramble with some eggs and my new garlic cheese from Ashby produce-yummy!

Tim & Deb

Tim and Deb had a retirement party on Saturday at UMM and then headed to our place.  We had a great time with them and Mollie and Tootsie were good little dog guests too.  This boat cruised by right after a gorgeous sunset.  I love silhouettes.  This may be my next blog header, the boat not the HE MEN down below.

Sunday's weather was gorgeous and we took the boat out for it's maiden voyage, with us anyway since it is a couple of years old.  Dan and Tim show off their spring physiques and Dan just blends right in with the clouds.  

There were a lot of fishing boats out but Tim had little luck from shore.

This was the first boat ride for the pugs and they slept almost the entire time.

These are both great pictures of Tim and Deb!  I think the one below is especially nice of Deb.  Does anyone know how to send pictures via Mac so that recipients can use them?

I have some more pictures to post from the rest of weekend with the Hallorans and Berknesses but don't have those pictures downloaded yet.

Spring Flowers 2009

Finally, some spring flower pictures to post!

I wish lilacs lasted longer when cut.

Usbourne finds!!!

Recently at the BB, I found the Usbourne Lotto game and flashcards for $3.  Yesterday, I spied a 3 pack that included a writing book, reading teaching guide and awesome cookbook for $3, plus books were 1/2 off so I got it for $1.50!  Yes, I know you could probably do the math!  This set is going to Gracie & Grant this summer.  Lynn loves to cook and I know she will especially enjoy the cookbook with the kids.  

Friends, Fishing & Footwear

Dan, Jim, Mike, Brian & Tim

Cookie break!

Tim, Mike & Dan

Me, Danette & Emily

Which foot belongs to whom?  Which foot is the California foot?  Sorry if you read this on my Facebook already.  Here's something I didn't post on FB.  My sandals came from Payless and were only $14.  They have some cute sandals this season.  I have no business buying more sandals but who can resist a new pair in May when you are starving for summer.

Changes...

I found out on Friday that I will be teaching 5th & 6th grade next year!  I'm very excited to try these brand new grade levels.  The only level I haven't had now will be 3rd.  Kindergarten doesn't count since I'm not licensed anyway-thank goodness!!  :)  Have a great week everyone!

Idol!

I had to post these Idol pictures before the season is over.    They both look pretty fake if you ask me and with my shiny forehead and cheeks, I look like a wax figure too!

If you're a farm girl you know what these are...

The bales in the background are a big clue!!  This picture is from farmgirlfare.com which is a favorite website of mine.  So do you know what the red things are????  

Somebody was worried about my bad day in first grade on Wed and it was just a day that happens now and then-nothing major.  If you teach first grade, you know what those days are like.  The other first grade teacher had that kind of day today, one of her stubborn kids cried for about an hour today-very loud and you could tell it was totally for effect.  I could hear it loud and clear in my room-the joys of primary.  Good things happen too and outnumber the challenges.  One of the girls told me today that she wished I was her mom.  They don't really mean that when they say it but it's a very nice compliment so you just say thank you.  This little girl has a very cool mom so you don't need to worry about her.  It's just their way of saying they really like you.   

Today was a big day for me.  Some of you know already, but I will be doing something different next year and I am very excited about it.  Change is good!!!  Have a nice weekend!

SF

Dan is in SF for just a couple of days taking a class.  He called from the Oakland game tonight.  These pictures are from the last time I was in SF a few years ago and you can see Nancy was along too.  I love this city!