3 Day Weekend!!!!!

I went to the scrapbook store today. I am making invitations to Jennifer's baby shower and wanted to get some things. I told myself I would only get what I needed for the invitations. . .
. . . and I did pretty good. I only bought a few extra things that I didn't really need.
I doesn't matter what I bring home - if it comes in a paper bag, and I sit it on the table - then Boo feels he is entitled to lay on it.
From the look of him here - he thinks he is entitled to do whatever he wants.

"I can’t decide if I have a cat or a cat has me." - Esther Marton

Back to School

I have been back to work for a couple of weeks - but school started this week. After all the prep - the kids are here and we are off and running. I love the first day of school - everyone is excited and ready to go. The kids are excited and a little nervous depending on what grade they are in. There are three kids I know that are starting kindergarten at our school this year (my nephew Jackson, Luke's friend Nataleigh's daughter Riley, and another family friend Daniel). There is something special about that first day of kindergarten.
These two pics were taken last week. Each year to kick off the school year, out district gets us all together for "General Session". They have a motivational speaker, the superintendent talks - it is sort of a big pep rally. It is a great way to start the year.
Marcia and Monica at "General Session". I work with these two in the office. They are wonderful to work with.

Smile for the Camera!

I don't think either on of these two wanted their picture taken. I keep telling Jennifer to take some pictures while she is pregnant - because some day she will be glad that she did. So at least I got this one of her belly. I didn't give Josh much choice - just snapped and picture and I love the face he is making (It is so Josh).



"Children make you want to start life over." ~Muhammad Ali

It's off to work I go!

I was able to start riding my bike to work again this week. Last week I was bringing things into work and running errands - so I was driving. I have really missed riding every day. Already after two days I believe it has made a difference in my mood and how I start my day. I am back into a work routine. I still have so much I want and need to do at home that I wish I had more hours in every day - but I believe most people feel that way. This time of year - I always find myself getting back into good habits. I start back to work after having the summer off and the laid back attitude of summer seems to fall away a little at a time. As much as I look forward to that time off every year - and I can so easily slip into my summer vacation mode, I also like and need the normalcy of a routine after awhile - and I will really try to enjoy being back to work - even if I could use more hours each day.

"Work is either fun or drudgery. It depends on your attitude. I like fun." ~ Colleen C Barrett

In the Pink!

I have been sorting through stuff for days, trying to get everything organized in my house. I am nearly done - and even though I would rather have been doing something else, I can find something fun in the process - like all of this pink stuff. How can you not love the color PINK!
And how can you not love this kid! Before he went swimming tonight he had to put on Kasey's swim cap. It is probably a good thing we didn't have some Speedo's - he probably would have put them on too. (I can only think this came about from watching so much of the Olympics. :-)

Cup of the Day - Friday!!!!

This is one of my favorite cups. My cabinet shelf is quite full and I have a cabinet at work I keep some in - it is ridiculous, but what can I say. I woke up this morning to the smell of coffee and I must say it did make it easier to get out of bed. Thank you Richard for always getting it made!

"Coffee smells like freshly ground heaven." ~Jessi Lane Adams

I am always glad when it is Friday (who isn't) - but since this is my first week back at work and I am still feeling the pull of summer vacation - I am really looking forward to the weekend. I have so much I want to be doing at home. I have had meetings this week and have spent my time in the office getting organized so I can work. It will all come together next week so we are ready for the first day of school on the 25th. I love the first day of school - even if I do hate to let go of summer. I think we are going out to a sushi bar after work today. We went last week and when I got my camera out to take pictures - there was no memory card in my camera (Thanks Luke!). So I will take pictures this time.

Sadie is in a Mood

Here is a recent picture of Sadie. She had surgery last Monday and still is not eating very well - so she is a little on the thin side. She is a picky about what she eats anyway - but it seems to be worse. We finally bought some different food - and coaxed her into eating it. It is probably just the fact that she had surgery - but I was getting concerned. She is also a little moody these days - I left her for two weeks when I went to Iowa - then two days later took her in to be spayed (in other words deserted her at the vet's office - I was feeling a little guilty). So maybe her mood is because she is mad at me - or also due to the surgery. For whatever reason - I am again amazed at how much this dog has won my heart. Jennifer looked at me last night and commented that she never thought she would see me like this over a dog. If she is mad at me - she must be getting over it - she is starting to follow me everywhere again.

"Dogs are miracles with paws." ~Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy

I am Back

I am back from Iowa, back on a computer that works, and back to work. I thought I would start with a picture from Iowa. I know Luke had such a good time - so here is a picture of him obviously - in Iowa.

My computer at home is a mess - I believe Richard is going to finally take it in. Since I start back to work today - I can now at least post from here.

"Cup of the Day" - Back to work and back to my matching coffee mugs each day. The mug was a gift . . .  I couldn't wait to use it and thought it was great for my first day back at work - "Do what you like. Like what you do." I believe I need to start back to work - just to get some rest. I have been working like a maniac at home. After getting back from Iowa I decided to paint the kitchen, dining room, and living room. I completed that - rearranged everything - cleaned out. It is almost done, but I am exhausted. On top of that - I made the mistake of betting Jake that I would make him dessert every night this past week. I made apple dumplings, brownies, banana bread, lemon bars, blueberry coffee cake, cheese cake (No Bake - from a box - I was starting to get tired by this point), and finally a butterscotch pie. After painting and cleaning everyday - I was too tired to even take photos of the desserts. :-) So "Dessert Week" is officially over. And since I am officially back to work today - I better get to work.

"Find a job you like and you add five days to every week." ~H. Jackson Browne