In a few days....

We're staying here....

Looking forward to....

~Space Mountain
~Splash Mountain
~Fireworks at night
~Dinner at Cinderella's castle
~Drinking around the world at Epcot (thanks for the dare, Ash!)
~Afternoon tea at The Grand Floridian
~and much more!!!!

Summer update...

Summer update time....

• Got a new job for the new academic year. I'm moving from an urban/low income middle school to a suburban/upper middle class middle school. I'm also moving up a grade to 8th. I'm very excited to try something new and teach books that are higher level.
• On the fitness kick! Noticed a few things I didn't like about myself so I've been eating healthy, exercising every day, and kicked the soda and junk food habit.
• Hubby and I are getting away for a bit the beginning of the month to..... Disney World. We have a bit of an addiction to Disney so I'm uber excited about going. We try to get in a least every other year and this is the year!
• Fell in love with an awesome website called paperbackswap.com. I'm able to get my preppy read on but also get to trade in the books I've already read and don't want to keep. For every book you trade, you can receive one in return.
• Two words... Mad Men! Catching up on season 3 this weekend and getting ready for the season 4 tomorrow night!!!

I'm still alive!!!

Don't know (or expect) anyone to respond but I'm still alive! I don't want to be that girl that lists the 10 million reasons why she hasn't posted...blah, blah, blah. Instead I will tell you that I'm in graduate school (with a 3.8 gpa!!!) and close to completing my second (successful) year of teaching at urban middle school. I heart my 7th graders and feel so blessed being a teacher.

Don't have much more to report... just teaching, class, and trying to be the best wife/dog mom. I'm on the hunt for preppy wellies (considering all the freakin' rain we've had up here in New England the past two months) and thinking Target might be the place for them (Liberty of London, anyone!?!?!). I'll keep you posted on what I decide on.

Hope all is well with everyone and look forward to getting back into the swing of things.

I'm leaving on a jet plane....

Well, not really... Instead I'm driving across Massachusetts for a week long teacher workshop tomorrow. I'll be reconnecting with co-workers, learning more about urban students, and earning my first 3 graduate credits towards my MAT. Hope everyone has a great week and I'll be back Friday with what I learned (for those preppy teachers out there).

P.S.- Was able to pick up the L.L. Bean argyle tote in a medium (no larges in store) but I think its the perfect size for my petite frame. I'm bringing it with me so I have a place for my binder, pens, and whichever book I decide to bring :-)

My latest craving....

So I start grad school in the fall at local state college for my Masters so obviously I'll need a new school bag. Here is what I'm jonesing for:

L.L.Bean Argyle Tote

Ah.... a quick break in the craziness. How is everyone doing? I'm great. I'm working hard teaching summer school (MCAS testing prep) and getting this house in shape (only 10 more boxes to go until we are unpacked) and I just finished getting my office/study organized and set up. Once the house is complete (curtains and all) I'll give you a virtual tour of the house :-)

So yeah, this summer is very different from last! Last summer I was a bump on a log stressing about finding a job and spent more time in my pj's then in real clothing. This summer I'm getting ready for year 2 at awesome middle school, making mad money teaching this summer, and getting ready to start grad classes in the fall. That's right.... I'm making the jump and starting grad school. I plan on taking one class this fall while I apply and hopefully I'll be accepted for the spring term.

Honestly, that's about it for me. It's been work, work, work this summer and gearing up for school. I was so depressed when school ended but I quickly realized that I needed the break as much as my kids did. And now I'm recharged and eager to try new lessons, rework my unit plans, and get ready for another successful MCAS session!

Hope all is well with all of you and you are enjoying the summer!

Pics of the house!

Whew, just finished the last weekend (fingers crossed) of painting the interior of the house :-)

Here are a few exterior pictures to tide you over until next weekend when the hubby, the bulldog, and I move into the homestead.

This is the far right side near the mailbox. That's my new car (2009 Ford Focus). You can see the double garage stall, cozy and cute breezeway, and white entry door that will lead you into the kitchen. Green bush jumping into the picture on the right is no longer there (thanks Mommy!)

The front of the house... beautiful Japanese Maple tree, a lovely picture window in the living room, and I adore the black shutters (Can't have a cottage/ranch without them).The far left side of lot. That's a Rose of Sharon bush blocking the master bedroom (far left of house) and the guest room/nursery (when the time comes) is the middle room on the left side of front door. Wonderful sunlight during the day!

And just to be goofy, here is a picture of hubby and I next to our Sold sign that we made the seller's agent put up the day we closed (I look extremely tired in this pic for some reason).

Interior pictures will be up next weekend once we have moved everything in and are more settled. I will say that the interior colors came out great and I can't wait to show you all!