Restoration

I know. I'm a terrible blogger. With summer break came the need to withdraw from all aspects of routine. The whole "get up at 6:20" schedule is out the window. Driving to school each morning has ceased. Dealing with the ins and outs of teaching has graciously taken a back seat...along with the blog. It's kind of like when you haven't talked to an old friend in quite some time and the phone call seems a bit overwhelming because you don't even know where to start. It's easier to just let the silence continue for a few more days...or weeks...or months. So, I'm sorry my little blog. I'll try to be a better friend (and that goes for you, too, out there...you know who you are!!).

Last summer, the Love of My Life and I decided that I didn't NEED to have a job during my time off. I could play, visit family, volunteer, and keep a sparkling clean house. This idea appealed to the teacher in me and I bit the apple. Ugh. About a week into it, I realized I had made a terrible mistake. I NEED something to get me out of bed in the morning. I NEED structure to my days. I NEED lists. I guess I'm type A. Now, don't think I just sat on the couch all day watching bad soaps and staining my clothes with cheetos powder. I did a little volunteering here and there at the local children's hospital, got to see my family a good bit, had friends over for dinner at least once a week, and tried to keep the sparkling clean house (too bad I didn't have my trusty bissell flip ease at the time). I decided on about day 5 that I would never take another summer break without some form of work.

And so, here we are. Another summer. And I am working- babysitting 4 days a week. It's really too good to be true. Three of the four days are spent at the country club pool, reading a book and overseeing two of the most polite and well behaved teenagers (tweenagers?? 12 and 13) I've ever known. My schedule couldn't be better.

While not babysitting, we've been busy. My mom came to visit last weekend and we had the best time. She comes to visit every year to volunteer at the Italian Festival. We've worked a beer tent the past three years. If you know my mom, you wouldn't think that would be her cup of tea (or draft beer) but she wouldn't miss it. While in town, we headed to Gary's and I picked up a great looking, slightly worn rug. I don't know much about nice rugs but I think this was a good find. We've been enjoying our back yard, grilling out, and playing with the dogs. We even planted a little garden. Oh, and I've been cooking with herbs from my little window box...I'm in love with my herbs. LOML says it's a bit "Little House on the Prairie" that I open the kitchen window and snip some leaves and use them in our food. I think it's perfect! Here are some pictures to document