busy days

I have been so crazy busy lately! I began my student teaching last week and between doing that, going to my credential classes and working...it really keeps me hopping! I'm lovin' the cooler weather and shorter days though. There's just something about the leaves collecting everywhere that says life isn't supposed to be orderly all the time...a little mayhem will ensure that I appreciate winding down in the evenings and sipping on my hot coffee as I'm headed out the door early in the mornings. It's the little things right? What do you find yourself appreciating these days?

there's always tomorrow...

Today was a rambling rose kind of day...

It went everywhere, but no where in particular...

I picked up the house, but left a few things to do later...

I ran errands, but didn't get them all finished...

I fed a few homeless friends, but some of the regulars weren't there...

I met up with a friend for coffee and the place closed when there was so much more left to say...

All in all, it was a beautiful day ~

girls just wanna have fu-hun

And today it was off to San Francisco for a day in the sun.
Have I mentioned how much I am enjoying being out of school?

Scroll over pictures for descriptions.

tid bits

The first day of spring. The pair of doves harmonizing on the back patio are on round two of their babies. They are fun to watch and they bring me joy.

Last weekend we had our dog Lacey trimmed real short...it was her first haircut. She went from a Golden Retriever to a Labrador in one afternoon! I think she looks adorable and I don't have any more warm-weather shedding to contend with. Hubby says she is embarrassed for the neighbor's dog to see her.

Erik is home on spring break and we are getting caught up on current events (and laundry).

My homeless friends are hangin' in there. I haven't seen Earl in a while. I heard he escaped from a care facility that he was recently assigned to after his last visit to the hospital.

I have a ton of homework for the weekend...but tonight is my night. I even indulged in some Ben & Jerry's!

Happy days of spring ~

summer days

Realizing how fast this summer break is going I decided to take a few days and attempt to finish some projects I wanted to get done while I had this time off. It's been hot and I wilt like a flower in the heat so I have to head for shade about noon and of course I sleep in until about 9 or 10 so that doesn't give me much time to get anything done, but I'm doing my best! I decided to jazz up my garden trellis' and paint them yellow....and I know I should have thought of this in the spring, but I do my most creative thinking when my time is running out to complete any ideas I come up with. My summer is just now getting into full swing and everyone is talking about their kids going back to school and the magazines all have fall pictures on them...I guess I'm just a late bloomer...but I'm not quite ready for summer to be over yet, there's still much more fun to be had!

necessities

These are crazy days.

Accompanying the daily routine lately, I have been busy gathering up things like a squirrel getting ready for winter. I have TWO children leaving home for college and I'm trying to keep myself occupied so I don't have too much time to think about it and it's not working very well.

I have a storage tote that I have been adding stuff to for awhile with all the basic household supplies. There are still so many things I need to get, but other than the typical salt, pepper, flour, sugar, foil, dish soap, etc. what are some things every kid needs (in the kitchen) to start out with? Give me some ideas that might be on the unusual side! This could be fun and chances are you will have a suggestion I have completely overlooked.

intermission

Due to the fact that I am feeling a little overwhelmed at the moment at having an excessive amount of homework I will be taking a short break from blogging…
the screws are tightening and sleep is minimal…if I’m not back by Saturday, someone call my house and have them check under the mountain of paperwork, thanks.

pockets

It's Saturday...I can't believe how fast time goes by when I don't have to go to school everyday. This spring break has been just what I needed. Erik is home safely from Mexico and I now have a mountain of laundry to do. Reminds me a little of the days when he would come home from his boyscout camping trips, everything covered in a layer of dirt, but these clothes don't have the lingering smell of campfire in them and I doubt when I check the pockets I'll find the little treasures that caught his eye while hiking....all the things that in remembering put a smile on my face and a tug on my heart...the rocks, twigs, candy, bugs, have all graduated to forgotten receipts and wrappers...my little boy has grown up.

What are some of the "treasures" you have found in the pockets of your little ones?

T.G.I.F.

Ah, it's Friday....like a breath of fresh air for me, especially this week where I felt rather overwhelmed and s t r e t c h e d beyond my limits. I've resolved that I need to stay up a little later and get up a little earlier if I am ever going to feel caught up. I guess there will always be "one more thing" needing to be done, but that's why I like Fridays...reminds me of that saying "The world is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be only the beginning". Fridays wrap up a busy week, but they are also the beginning of a much needed break where I can restore my outlook, review my approach and remind myself how gracious and appreciative I should be when Monday rolls back around. It is definitely one of my favorite days of the week!