Back to Work

It's that time of year again...back to school. Which means back to work. I don't officially start back until Thursday, but I thought I'd get a head start and go in early. HA! I picked up my keys at 8am Monday morning and finally walked out of my classroom around 4pm Monday afternoon -- and I felt like very little had been accomplished. Good thing I got that head start!

And I left with a headache and complete body exhaustion. I was in bed, asleep, by 6pm. Yep, it's that time of year again. Gosh, I miss summer already!

Favorite Things

This is a blog challenge from Cups of Coffee, to make a list of my favorite things. These have to be things that can be purchased, so here goes!

1. Michael Marcus Prime, the best way to even out my skin tone I've found to date
2. Oil of Olay Creme Ribbons soap
3. Guerlain Insolence perfume
4. Starbucks black iced tea, unsweetened
5. Perfect fit t-shirts from Old Navy
6. Christopher Blue jeans
7. Agatha Christie mysteries, especially the ones that pre-date WWII
   
8. Baseball cards
9. St. Louis Cardinals autographs
10. Manicures and pedicures
11. My cherry chocolate LG cell phone
12. Converse All Stars

Passport to...England and France

Aaahhh, what a wonderful end of summer this has been....it's so hard to describe the past two weeks in Europe: how relaxing, how beautiful, how inspiring. how different life is. So many new experiences, so many monuments visited, so many small moments that were very special. Instead of writing about each one, here's a partial list:

• Touring Kensington Palace
• Eating ice cream on the grass outside Kensington Palace
• Listening to Big Ben chime
• Visitng the chapel in Westminster Abbey that holds the coffin of Queen Elizabeth I and the one that holds the coffin of Mary, Queen of Scots
• Riding the Eurostar
• Eating at La Fregate with its view of the Louvre
• Carousals in Paris
• Standing under the Eiffel Tower
• Wandering through the catacombs under Paris
• Touring Notre Dame
• Eating ice cream each evening while strolling through the cobblestone streets of Paris
• The half day tour of Versailles
• Seeing the tunnel where Princess Diana died
• The funfair outside of the Louvre with the great log ride
• Crepe stands with nutella
  
• Walking two miles to see the Eiffel Tower light up at night
• Visiting the Pont Alexander bridge
• The Place de la Concorde and standing on the spot where Marie Antoinette was executed
• A train ride through the middle of England
• Eating breakfast at the Muffin Man every single morning we were in London
  
• Standing on a bridge over the River Avon, feeding swans
• Shopping in Europe!!!
  

Ooh la la

My trip is getting closer -- two glorious weeks in London and Paris! Ooh la la! I just looked at pictures from my February trip to Paris and I am completely excited to go. The sky was so blue and I look so happy in the pictures. I've been to London numerous times but this will only be my second trip to Paris (ok, it's my second trip in 6 months). To start the trip, my cousin and I are meeting in New York City (so we can fly together) and we have two nights and an entire day there....

I like going overseas for several reasons. First, the language differences fascinate me. Even in England, where they supposedly speak the same language. The accents are fantastic and the supermarkets are thrilling to wander. I love to see things like 'nappies' (can you tell I had a baby the first time I went?) and 'salad cream' as well as different types of potato crisps (instead of chips) like prawn flavored ones. Or beef and onion flavored ones. Second, the political astuteness of the regular Joe is astounding. It's much different than in the United States, and quite refreshing. Even if my opinion is different than, say my French tour guide, the fact that I can have a reasonable discussion with him is remarkable. Third, I need to be reminded that there is a world outside of my little neighborhood, and there are sights to see and people to meet. And different opinions to hear.

So. New York City. London. Paris. I'm happy just typing the names of those cities. We've decided to spend the most time (barely, just by a day) in Paris because it's the newest place for us. We've rented apartments in London and Paris (with air conditioning, we are American, after all) so we have a tiny kitchen in both cities. And I'm ready! Let's get this show on the road, shall we?

Friday Fill In (but now it's Saturday)....

1. _____ makes me remember my childhood.

2. I like to use _____ when I cook.

3. _____ really makes me mad.

4. I've been thinking about _____ lately.

5. The last song I heard that I liked was _____.

6. _____ by starlight.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _____, tomorrow my plans include _____ and Sunday, I want to _____!

My Answers:

1. Summer makes me remember my childhood.

2. I like to use olive oil and garlic when I cook. (What can I say, I'm Greek!)

3. Liars really make me mad.

4. I've been thinking about traveling overseas lately.

5. The last song I heard that I liked was Ready, Set, Please Don't Go.

6. Walking by starlight.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I am looking forward to reading my new Harry Potter book in my jammies on my couch, tomorrow my plans include reading that book and Sunday, I want to start packing for my trip.

I've been challenged!

Heather challenged me on her blog...so here it is!!!
1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? nope
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? a couple weeks ago
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? yes
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE LUNCH MEAT? boars head ham
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? one darling little girl
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? absolutely
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? uh yeah, maybe too much
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? … I just might
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? I alternate between Life and Cracklin' Oat Bran
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Not usually
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? That depends
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ICE CREAM? Peanut butter and chocolate
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Their smile (or lack of)
15. RED OR PINK? Red
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVOURITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? Hmmm....
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My grandfathers
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? Yes.
19. WHAT COLOUR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Denim capris and no shoes
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Back Street French dip on an onion roll - yum!
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Silence
22. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOUR WOULD YOU BE? Red....for sure
23. FAVOURITE SMELLS? Rain
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My friend Jen
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Heather challenged me on her blog. I love her!
26. FAVOURITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Baseball and college football
27. HAIR COLOUR? Brown
28. EYE COLOUR? Hazel
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No
30. FAVOURITE FOOD? Way too many to name
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy Endings
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
33. WHAT COLOUR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Heather gray
34. SUMMER OR WINTER? winter for weather...summer for being off work
35. HUGS OR KISSES? love them both
37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Hmm...
38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? no one I hope :)
39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Queen of Babble by Meg Cabot
40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? No mousepad!
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT? Nothing
42. FAVOURITE SOUND? rain
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? I have to choose?
44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? France
45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? not really. maybe cooking...
46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Boulder City, NV
47. WHAT SUPERPOWER WOULD YOU LIKE? To fly

A Perfect Summer Day

I love summer days. They can be anything I want them to be. Yesterday was an example of a perfect outing. I met one of my best friends at Borders. We wandered around the bookstore and I ended up buying several books that looked good for airplane reading. Heather recommended Baby Proof by Emily Giffin and Queen of Babble by Meg Cabot, so I picked those up. I also found two books for my daughter to read on the plane, the classic Are You There God, It's Me Margaret by Judy Blume, and a fairy book she will also enjoy.

After the bookstore, we went to Old Navy. I love Old Navy for summer clothes. The baby doll dresses are darling and look cute alone or over jeans. The t-shirts are super soft. The kids clothes are cute, cheap, and wear nicely. Madison got the pink capris in the picture, on sale for $8. Heather picked them out. Once again, Heather is to be complimented on her FASHION SENSE!

And we topped the day off with a visit to Starbucks! Iced black teas and warmed chocolate chip cookies....a perfect ending to a perfect outing! I love summer days like this -- and a friend like Heather, who loves doing the exact same things I do.

Friends and SURPRISES!!

Summertime is fabulous. I went to New York City (which should be an entire post by itself) and came home to a surprise "welcome home" party for my good friend Heather's husband. He has been in the Coast Guard and is now finished with that. She planned the party for two weeks after he came home, so he was completely surprised! We all got to the house 30 minutes before Scott was due (he had been playing golf and then shopping with the menfolk while the women set everything up) and my daughter and her friend kept watch out the front window.

Once Scott arrived, the party started in full swing. The Mexican food was fabulous and there were homemade cupcakes with the most delicious cream cheese frosting. And Tony (who is getting married in October and sent out fantastic 'save the date' magnets) made terrific margaritas, he definitely has a secret formula! People were relaxed and happy and enjoying themselves all evening long. The kids ran around the backyard, playing ball and sitting on the fence. The adults sat around in the fading sunlight with candles and tiki torches as Larry brought out a special bottle of lemon liqueor he brought back from Italy, and he started handing out shots.

What really stood out to me, though, was the love and the friendship at the party. People came because they were happy Scott was home and they were happy to be together for the evening. It was comfortable and fun and a perfect way to spend a Saturday night!

Dual Personalities

I went "home" for Father's Day. Home is Las Vegas.

And home is wonderful.


One thing I noticed about home is the way some people act. Specifically, my cousin - I'll call her Amanda. When we were little, she went by Mandy. Mandy was older, more hip, more beautiful, more everything. She was my idol. I adored her. She grew up, got married, and became known as Amanda. Except to the immediate family, to us she's still Mandy. And now it's like she's two different people.


Mandy is still fabulous -- she's the one who knows the hip hangouts and the hottest new restaurants to try. She wears the newest fashions and is always on the cutting edge. I adore her.

Amanda is nice too, but in a different way. She is a mom and a wife first. She takes wonderful care of her family. She plans and cooks gourment meals. She spends endless amounts of time decorating her house. And truthfully, she's a bit boring.

I want Amanda to be Mandy all the time, even though I know that's not possible. She grew up, got married, had babies, and became AMANDA. I'm lucky to get any Mandy time and I know this. I just miss her.

My DNA

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Endings and beginnings

The end of the school year. Things end and new things begin. As hard as it can be to let go of the end of something, we have to -- and we have to move on to something new.

I'm looking forward to summer -- lazy days with smoothies and iced tea and sleeping in late. And swimming and barbeques and walking on the beach. Maybe I'll go to a few baseball games! This summer I have some magnificent trips planned. New York City by itself. New York, London, Paris all together later in the summer.

My point here is that yes, things end. And new things begin. And those new things can be fun and exciting!

Letting Go

This school year has been one of letting go. Letting go of the position I've had for several years and returning to a grade level I haven't taught in over 10 years. Letting go of feelings that are destructive to me personally. And letting go of relationships that are not beneficial to me. I've worked hard to get to this point. I'm ready to move on, to assume my new position and work with a new team. Now I'm wondering why other people aren't letting go as easily as I am.

I'm having a hard time with this idea -- that I'm moving on and others aren't. Why not? It seems so simple to me, and yet I know that it's not. It's taken hard work to get to this point and I KNOW that. And yet....I don't want to talk about the past anymore. I don't want to go over and over the same conversations one more time. I want to move forward.

It's time to let go.

Home

Since I was tagged by Heather and asked to make this my first post -- here goes!

What is home?

My home is not a place, it is people.
Lois McMaster Bujold, "Barrayar", 1991

Home is not a place, that's my house. I feel at home when I am with my best friends and my dearest family. Recent events in my life have made me re-evaluate those people I surround myself with, and eliminate those that are not positive influences. Home is a cozy, comfortable feeling; a feeling of being safe and secure. The people in my life that I choose to 'let in' make me feel at home on a daily basis and I love each and every one of them -- the list is small, but the knowledge that I can be myself and still be appreciated makes me feel at home. And I love that.