So Long Summer

I think summer has officially come to an end for me. This weekend was the last hurrah of the summer. It was the annual Schlitterbahn trip. I had a ton of fun, got a little sun (despite my best efforts to avoid it!), and think it was the perfect way to cap off a wonderful summer.

One would think I'd be water logged from all the places I've been this summer and one would be correct! From beaches to water parks, I've had plenty of sun and water to last me till next summer. After I wash the swimsuits they will be heading for a long sabbatical in the dresser drawer.

I know fall is usually a time for slowing down and getting back into a routine, but it's one of my favorite times of year! I've already got a beautiful fall wreath hanging on the door and it makes me smile every time I come home. There are so many exciting things that happen between now and the end of the year. I can't wait! For instance, my birthday (which is quickly approaching...three weeks actually!), football games, Thanksgiving, Christmas shopping, holiday parties and get-togethers, wrapping...can you tell I really love this time of year?!

So, with so much waiting to begin it's time to say goodbye to summer. I had fun with you, but as with all good things it must come to an end. Thanks for the memories and I can't wait to see what you bring next year!

I'm On Vaca...

Do you think there is such a thing as too much of a good thing? I'm beginning to wonder if perhaps I've hit my vacation quota! Don't misunderstand, I've thoroughly enjoyed all my trips and adventures this summer, but I'm glad to be home. And I think I'll stay put for awhile!

This trip to the beach was great on so many levels. First, I loved getting to head out to the beach again! I've really enjoyed all the sand and surf time this summer. I guess there is just something refreshing and humbling about being next to something so vast. I even enjoyed the sand between my toes (though not so much all the other places sand tends to get...ick) and just laying out and being a beach babe. Second, it was great to connect with people you work with on a level that isn't just a professional one. In case I didn't mention this before, I went on this trip with six other teachers from school. I'll admit to being a little nervous about how we'd all interact, but it was great. We're teachers so we did talk a little bit about school stuff, but mostly we got to know each other on personal levels. That was amazing! Thirdly, I knew that this was my last hurrah before school started so I wanted to make the most of the days. And I did! I felt like I was able to relax and soak up the last bit of summer.

Before long it'll be time to get back into the groove of all things school, so right now it feels great to justify everything because "I'm on vaca!" (I think this is a line from Legally Blonde where the lead character's ditzy friends want to go on vaca (vay-kay) to Harvard to visit her.) Anyway, all week long we explained away everything with "I'm on vaca!".

For example:

"You slept until 10:00am!"
"So, I'm on vaca!"

"I don't usually go without make-up or doing my hair."
"Oh who cares...you're on vaca!"

"I shouldn't be eating this yummy chocolate cake at 2am in the morning."
"But what the hell! I'm on vaca!"

Every time we turned around someone was saying "I'm on vaca!" in that house! We were and we enjoyed every minute of it too. Like I said, it was great, but I am ready for some normalcy too. Starting next week, it's back to being in my classroom all day (organizing and decorating) and then comes the welcome back in-service things. And I'm okay with that because believe it or not I crave a routine.

But, I know that the memories and relaxed feel of summer are going to stick around for a while! And I'm happy about that!

Vacation...One More Time

Well, I'm off...again. Several teachers from school are heading to the beach to enjoy the last few days of summer. I'm excited and I know I'll have time, but I kind of think I'm crazy for going off again so soon after having been gone.

We all agreed to pack light as we weren't planning on making this an activity jam packed vacation. Swimsuits, shorts, tanks, and toiletries should be all we'd need right? Well, this morning as I looked at my suitcase and all the stuff I needed to put in it I was getting nervous. There wasn't anyway way I could take two suitcases! So, after some slight readjusting I got it all in there. What is it with me...I can't pack light!?

Anyway, I've got it packed and it's time to head off. Y'all take care! I'll be back soon and I promise my life won't always be this exciting...lol. Oh, and my cousin, Amanda has volunteered to be a guest blogger and add her two cents to the cruise vacation!

Rain Rain Go Away

I've always heard that if you didn't like the weather in Texas to just wait a minute and it would change. Well, I've waited but there has been no change. You'd think we were living in some tropical rain forest with all the daily rain and humidity that we have going on. When you look at a 5-7 day outlook forecast all you see is the little thunder cloud and rain symbol. The rain seriously messed with me while I was hauling in my luggage and stuff from home. And with it so overcast all day long I've gotten practically no where on the sun I was hoping to get before the cruise. Any other summer and I'd be toasted to a crisp! Where has the normal summer weather gone?!

I know I shouldn't be complaining too hard because a lot of areas needed the rain. But good grief, you'd think they'd have had enough by now! Also, I guess the rain isn't all bad...it has kept the temperatures in the manageable range. Normally by now we're hovering around the triple digits. I think I saw that it was 78 when I was out yesterday around noon.

Anyway, while I'm sure people have enjoyed the rain (hey...no more spending money on watering the grass!) I think it's time for us to spread the wealth...say with our Northern friends. (Linda that was just for you!) So, rain rain GO AWAY!

Look Out Summer!

Yesterday was officially the last day of the 2006-2007 school year. Summer school is being held on our campus this year so I've got to square away my room (there is this rumor that summer school teachers have sticky fingers) a little more on Monday, but essentially today was the first day of summer!

I know people are probably sick of hearing about what I'm doing this summer, but I'm excited about it all. And now to add to the mix...a week long trip to the beach with some girls from work in August! Some song with the words "beach baby beach baby...and that's as far as I get" keeps playing in my head. I think this is first summer in a long time where I'll spend so much time around sand.

Everything kicks off on Tuesday when I leave for Arlington. I'm going a scrapbook convention with all the ladies in my family! I can't wait. Scrapbooking is my absolute favorite hobby and I love spending time with my family. (By the way, if you click on each of those words you'll get to see an example of my scrapbooking talents!) Then it's on to my parents' home for some much needed catch up time.

A friend today was saying how it must be nice to have those long summer vacations. Yeah...I agree!