August 12

I've been enjoying being able to keep up with my menu planning.  It's a great feeling when I get to make my own breakfast, lunch and dinner...

August 13

I saw this posting for a research study while I was at Starbucks.  It made me laugh and cringe at the same time.  Every teacher I know, including myself, has a bit of a problem with "hoarding, saving or clutter"...sigh :(

August 14

Mike and I went for a drive to see the vet today.  He ended up having to stay over so they could do a biopsy and removal of a large mass that had grown suddenly on the top of his back right leg.

August 15

I was able to bring Mike home today.  Roxy kept smelling him and wondering what was wrong with him.  She's such a great sister!

August 16

I've been sleeping in the living room so that I can be near to Mike as he recovers from his surgery.  This night light/souvenir has come in very handy.

August 17

I stayed in again today to be with Mike who is not himself yet.  I was flipping through television channels and ended up watching this:

August 18

The doggies and I are doing a good job of beating the heat wave.  They got to relax under some shade on the patio for a little bit and  I enjoyed lunch and some pool time with my best friend.  I also tried making my own watermelon agua fresca.  Summer fruits are the best!

August 5

My sister motivated me to create with my Cricut yesterday.  I'm working on some things to post on my writing wall and supply boxes.  I have to make it a point to use my new cartridges soon!

August 6

I decided to give ground turkey another try and found a recipe for a turkey burger.  It turned out to be surprisingly juicy and delicious!!!

August 7

Getting sick after just the first two weeks of school must be a new record for me :(

  

August 8

A parent of one of my students generously gifted this backpack holder to our classroom.  It was so fun to see how excited the kids were and how proud the dad's son was of his daddy :)

August 9

It's football season already?!?!  I'm not too fond of ending summer and starting fall just yet, but watching football is definitely a favorite past time.  Go Chargers!!!

August 10

Joe surprised me with my very own Keurig machine a few days ago and I've been so excited to wake up to some coffee ever since!  Love the gift, love him!!

August 11

My sister joined me for today's Close to My Heart Workshop and we created some beautiful photo frames.  Why are creating and being crafty so therapeutic?  Who knows, but I enjoyed the company and left with home decor created by me:

July 29

It was such a beautiful day, Joe and I decided to have an impromptu picnic at the bay after church:

July 30

I finally made it a point to get a much needed car wash. *Note to self: Don't wait so long next time!

July 31

Pretty soon, I won't even need to go to Starbucks anymore!

August 1

The doggies and I went for a late afternoon/early evening walk today.  Roxy, as usual, had tons of energy, while Mike and I had to push ourselves to walk at the end of a long and tiring day.

August 2

Mike likes to watch the Olympics, too... ;)

August 3

I felt pretty accomplished today: I baked a chocolate croissant for breakfast before work and pumped some air in one of my tires during my lunch break.

August 4

The views on a golf course are very rewarding:

July 21

Fuddrucker's Hot Dogzilla is the tastiest hot dog I've had in a long time!

July 22

I'm going to try to force myself to make time to be crafty, even if it's just for a little while each week.  Here's a project I've been trying to get around to for a few months now:

July 23

I spent the evening with Joe in the emergency room/hospital after his stomach issue flared up again.   He was in a lot of pain, but is doing much better.  I love it when he reaches for my hand. . .

♥♥♥

July 24

The classroom is all set up and ready to go for some new first graders. (I did make sure to straighten out the letter 'y' card after I saw this pic closely, ha!)

July 25

The first day of school went really well.  I was happy and really tired by the end of the day.  I'll have to get used to being in work-mode after being on vacation for a couple of weeks.

July 26

Lunch this year is at 10:45 a.m.  It definitely feels more like brunch since I feel like I'm starving by the end of the school day.  The doggies aren't the only ones that really look forward to a snack right after school ;)

July 27

My weekend got kicked off with a really relaxing, beautiful view of some roses (from Joe's patio):

July 28

The London 2012 Summer Olympics have begun.  Go Team USA and Mexico!!

July 16

Our mini-getaway continued at a resort/spa in Temecula.  We had a great view from our villa and enjoyed the view of the vineyard while having our breakfast. . .

July 17

We checked out of our villa today, but not without another outdoor breakfast followed by a morning swim.  Thanks, Groupon, for a good deal!

July 18

I missed cooking while I was away and was craving some fried rice.  I love that it's super fast and so good!  Eating it out of a cute bowl only makes it taste better ;)

 July 19

I decided to go back to my classroom to set up and was greeted by boxes of new math materials.  My unofficial first day back at work was much more pleasant thanks to lunch with a dear friend/colleague, and some Starbucks love from my sister and nephew.

July 20

Today was my first furlough day.  It gave me a chance to work on some projects at home and spend time with my doggies.  We started and ended our summer vacation on the patio together.  Love them!!

July 11

I was pleased to learn that there's a special day for my favorite kind of muffin :)

July 12

I don't send out very much snail mail, but am hoping to change that. . .

July 13

I'm loving adding berries to my breakfast meals.  Strawberries taste yummy on cereal, and raspberries are delicious on creamy oatmeal.

July 14

Wicked was a blast!  It makes me want to sing instead of speak to people ;)

July 15

My best friend and I kicked off a mini-getaway with a day at the spa. . .

July 8

Weekends are for taking a break from cooking...sometimes ;)  I'm trying to be good, so I only ordered appetizers:

July 9

A refreshing drink on a nice summery day. . .

July 10

My favorite time of the day to walk the dogs is around sunset.  This was today's view as we walked around our neighborhood: