Washing and Ironing

Are there chores that you do that you just wish someone else would do for you? I have to have all of my clothes ironed (yes, even T-shirts) and yet I dread ironing. I spent a good portion of yesterday trying to catch up on my ironing. I'm still not done!

I remember ironing for my mother when I was younger. I didn't mind so much then but now, it seems that just as I get caught up and everything is done there's another load of ironing waiting for me.

I also iron Tim's clothes (yes, his T-shirts too!). Rich thinks I'm crazy. I just want him to look "neat".

It seems my ironing board is always set up in my bedroom. It is a rare occasion that it is not set up in front of Rich's dresser. I know it drives him crazy to move it all the time...but I don't know where else to put it.

The other chore that I DREAD is washing the kitchen floor. (Britt you still owe me one!).

What chore would you rather do without?

take care,

Dawn

Computer Malfunction

For the last several months my computer will just shut down on me and it is sporadic in nature. Sometimes it will work for weeks and weeks at a time and then all of a sudden shut down. Yesterday was finally the straw that broke the camel's back! I ended up calling DELL and spent about an hour on the phone taking things apart, plugging and unplugging everything connected to the computer. It seems that the video card needs to be replaced. I did buy an extended warranty. DELL will send the part to a local technician who will come and replace it for me. I am glad I bought the warranty. (I always do with my computers and it always pays off for me!)

The thing that just "got" to me yesterday was the fact that while I pay for the service to warranty my computer I felt like I was doing ALL the work! I had quite the sweat going taking things apart and putting it all back together. I had little idea what I was doing LOL!

Fortunately I still have my laptop so I am not completely without a computer. I still feel limited without all of my files on this one. I could connect the external hard drive I saved about 95% of my files on, but I don't feel like going through all of that work.

take care,
Dawn

SMART Board

School has only been out for a handful of days but I am heading back today for a workshop. Today is SMART Board training. I used a SMART Board a couple of times just going on the guidance of a fellow teacher. I missed the training they had last winter because I was so sick that day. I am hoping to get a Smart Board in my classroom this fall and I want to be able to use it and use it well with my class. I'll only be in school for a couple of hours today then I'll be back for the day on Thursday.

I didn't know what a SMART Board was until a few months ago. For those of you who don't know I copied this from the web:

People choose the SMART Board interactive whiteboard because it helps energize presentations and motivate learners. In 1991, it was the world's first interactive whiteboard. Today, it is the world's leading interactive whiteboard. Combining the simplicity of a whiteboard with the power of a computer, the SMART Board interactive whiteboard engages students and audiences around the world.
The touch-sensitive display connects to your computer and digital projector to show your computer image. You can then control computer applications directly from the display, write notes in digital ink and save your work to share later.
Best of all, the full-featured SMART Board interactive whiteboard is incredibly easy to use. If you can use a computer, you can use a SMART Board interactive whiteboard.

I did do a couple of activities with my class this month. Some went over well, some were duds!I'm excited to see what new things I'll learn tomorrow.


take care,
Dawn

Water works

The other day when I was reading Heidi Ann's blog she had written about her grandson playing at the sink. I mentioned in my comment that Tim used to do that all of the time. This time of the year though he takes a dishpan out to the deck to play. About a week ago I bought a new dishpan for him and since Mackenzie seems to enjoy the activity as well I bought one for her. While Tim was camping this weekend Mackenzie came over and played in bubble water washing dolphins and dinosaurs.

It won't be long before those little pudgy baby hands of hers are grown up. I wanted to remember just how little they were when she was over grandma's house playing.

I did some searching of my computer files and found a layout I did of Tim when he was 6 years old playing in the dishpan on the deck. He was washing his Yu Gi Oh toys on that day. It's hard to believe that was three years ago. He's growing up too fast!

take care,
Dawn

Summer Bag/Thank you

To thank Tim's teacher for all of her hard work, kindness and being there for Tim, I knit her this summer bag. I filled it with a beach towel (after all it is Cape Cod), sun screen, aloe and a gift card to the book store. I tried to make her gift personal so I chose to knit a bag this year instead of buying one. I also had Tim write her a thank you note, as well as one for her mother and father in law who were there every day helping out.

This got me to thinking about when Britt was in school. I never knew that it was something that was done for a teacher and I never did. I still feel badly about it. I wish I could remember all of her teachers and send them a thank you note! I didn't realize that families did that sort of thing until I became a teacher.

Years ago I got my first Nicholas Sparks book (The Notebook) as an end of the year thank you and after I read it I got hooked on Nicholas Sparks. It has sparked (no pun intended) my joy of summer reading.

Last night I just finished reading A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. I read that book years ago. I think I was in my early twenties. I've also seen the movie several times. I discovered there was so much of that book that I did not remember. I think as I have gotten older more mature parts of the book have brought out different emotions than when I was 20! I am glad I read it again. This summer I have a few more classics on my list that I read as a teen or twenty something. I will be reading The Diary of Ann Frank and To Kill a Mocking Bird again.

take care,
Dawn

Pink Saturday #3

It's PINK SATURDAY. My friend Beverly of How Sweet The Sound is again hosting a PINK SATURDAY . Check out her blog and visit all the PINK posts today.

Years ago my mother told me that her grandmother always used to have a patch of "pinks" in her garden. My mother was very fond of her grandmother. Her relationship with her grandmother was stronger than her relationship with her mother.

When I was trying to plan what I wanted in my little garden I remembered my mother telling me about the "pinks" that my great grandmother had. It took me a bit of time to figure out just what "pinks" were. I have a friend at school who is quite the gardener and she told me that they were dianthus plumarius. I bought a few seed packets and planted them in my garden in honor of my great grandmother. (Britt if you are reading this I have some seeds for you if you want them). Each year when they bloom I think of my mother telling me about her grandmother's garden.

take care,
Dawn

School's out for SUMMER!!!!!

YAY!!!! I got home just about 5:00 last night completely finished! I am done for the summer! Well, kind of. I'm going to two workshops next week :) This was the first year I did less than a stellar job packing though. I tend to go overboard with organizing everything into a tote. This year I didn't. I also didn't get some things washed out that I usually do. That will wait until September.

Tim was just thrilled to tell me who he got for a fourth grade teacher. I passed him in the hall and he ran out of recess line to tell me who his teacher was and who was in his class. (The perks of having your mom work at your school!) He shared his report card with me and he did a FABULOUS job on it. I am very pleased and proud of him. The only area of some concern was problem solving in math! I don't know too many adults who can do that well. LOL! It's hard to believe my little boy is going into fourth grade! I guess little might not be the correct word. Tim brought home a paper that described him in the fall and again in the spring. He's grown 2 inches and is now 58 inches tall. That's two inches from 5 feet!! I've only got 6 inches on him and he's still 9 years old!

Well, I guess I should go check on the blogs I have been neglectful of these last few days. :)

take care,
Dawn

I am sooooooo tired

Yesterday was the longest day ever! I spent 14 hours at school. I wish I had had the strength for about 2 more. It was also the last full day of school.

Today is only a half day and while the kids get to leave early the teachers need to get their rooms packed up for the summer. I'm about 85% done. I'll get a little more done before the kids come to school. Durning our lunch break I'll drop Tim off at my mother's and then get back to school and try to finish by 2:30.

We are ending our year together with root beer floats. It's my tradition for the last day. It will be hard saying good bye but oh how I am looking forward to my summer vacation.

take care,

Dawn

What's up for me on Wednesday

Jack's procedure went well. I know Brittainy was relieved to have it over with. Thank you all for your good thoughts! Hopefully I'll get to see him this weekend.

Speaking of this weekend, (I hope I'm not going to jinx it by spilling the beans) Rich and Tim might go camping. Imagine my joy at the thought of my first weekend of summer vacation alone. I'm almost giddy with anticipation. Keep your fingers crossed that nothing stands in the way. :)

Today is the last full day of school. I am planning on being there until about 8 tonight. Can you believe that our last full day of school includes a faculty meeting. I am going to be dog tired!!!!! I have to get my room packed up for the summer. Sometimes I think the older grades have it so much easier to just pack up books and such (the kids can even help!) Do you know how much STUFF there is in a kindergarten room. I think last year I filled about 16 big totes with stuff! Then, I have to unpack it all at the end of the summer. I want it almost all done so all I will need to do tomorrow when the kids leave is to cover the shelves and boards with sheets!

Be thinking of me today as I work my little fingers to the bones. It will definitely be an ice coffee kind of afternoon today!

take care,
Dawn

Tuesday's Thoughts

This morning my grandson Jack is having some minor surgery. He is tongue tied and needs to have that connective tissue under his tongue snipped. The whole procedure should take about a minute. Brittainy is naturally very concerned about the anesthesia. That will involve a substantial amount of time. Some positive thoughts sent their way would be greatly appreciated!


From Beverly's Blog. I'm breaking the rules too! If you haven't done this one yet feel free to take it upon yourself to add on your blog :) :)

a) What was I doing 10 years ago?

Ten years ago I was waiting for the birth of my second child. (He'll be 10 in September). I had a few complications in my pregnancy and spent the summer going for ultra sounds and non-stress tests. I was also a bit nervous about having another child since my other was just about 18 years old by then.

b) What are 5 things on my to-do list for today:

1. anxiously await the phone call from Britt to tell me how Jack's surgery went!
2. file the papers on my desk
3. pack some more school boxes. (only 2 days left!)
4. finish Tim's teacher gift
5. iron

c) Snacks I enjoy:

Nachos
fruit
crackers and cheese

d) Things I would do if I were a billionaire:

Make sure all of my family was provided for
Build the house of my dreams
Hire a maid :)

e) Places I have lived:

Cape Cod
Maryland

take care,
Dawn

Indiana Jones

I don't recall watching a complete Indiana Jones movie when they first came out 25 years ago. What is it about having kids that makes everything old new again? Tim is hooked on the movies. We've bought the first three from the '80's and I told him that I would take him to see the movie this summer when school is out. (I have some movie passes to use up!).

I've watched the first one with him and I actually enjoyed it. I still have the other two to watch before we can go to the movies.

As is typical of Tim, he is no collecting all things Indiana Jones. In the past it has been Batman, Spider man, the Hulk, Star Wars...you get the idea.

This past week I bought him an Indiana Jones Lego set. Why are they SO EXPENSIVE? I practically had to mortgage the house last year to get him the Star Wars Legos. At least there aren't as many for Indiana Jones.

Last week while we were grocery shopping Tim got a rubber snake and used it as a whip until it got a knot in it. Now he has a toy Indiana Jones whip, complete with sound.

Boys!!!!!

take care,
Dawn

Father's Day

While I was grocery shopping yesterday I picked up a Father's Day card for my husband and my son in law and it struck me that these were the only cards I'd be buying. Even though my father passed away almost 13 years ago it is still so very sad and I miss him and think about him daily. I was searching through some photos I have on my computer and found these. In honor of my dad I am sharing them with you today. What a handsome boy he was!

Here is my dad with me when I was a baby!

This is the way I remember my father most.

I made a small little scrapbook of my dad with a poem in it that says:

When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure

When I come to the end of the road,

and the sun has set me free

I want no rites in a gloom filled room

Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little-but not too long

and not with your head bowed low,

Remember the love that we once shared

Miss me - but let me go

For this journey that we all must take

and each must go alone

It's all a part of the Master's plan

A step on the road home.

When you are lonely and sick at heart

Go to the hills we know

And bury your sorrow among the trees

Miss me- but let me go.

take care,

Dawn

Pink Saturday #2

Welcome to another PINK SATURDAY . My friend Beverly of How Sweet The Sound is again hosting a PINK SATURDAY . Last week I had to resort to an older photo this one is actually one I took yesterday.

As many of you who read my blog know the end of the school year is just about here (4 more days). Every year I like to give the kids a present on the last day of school. This year they are all getting a pail and shovel. Inside I have put a journal, a summer fun packet, a book, a photo album of their kindergarten year, some play dough, sunglasses and some bubbles. Here is one of the pails ready to go home!




Many years ago I was looking through Rich's baby book and I found a ditto sheet (do any of you remember those?) with a poem one of his teacher's had written. I made a few changes and adapted it to kindergarten. I've printed it out for each of the children. Here is the poem:

It's been my pleasure at school each day

to watch your child at work and play.

We've shared together the gift of joy

as she discovered some new toy.

I've watched her grow as the weeks sped by

and seen the sparkle in her eye.

I've shown her the way in many new fields

and observed her respond with her special appeal

Now that the school year has come to a close

a happy vacation is what I propose.

With a change in the weather

and as summer will fade -

When our school doors open

she will go to first grade.

There is a version for boys as well. I even made a version for any children who are repeating kindergarten.

I'm looking forward to visiting everyone for PINK SATURDAY

take care,
Dawn

Flag Day...a day early

Since we don't go to school on Flag Day (tomorrow) our kindergarten is celebrating Flag Day today. We have lots of fun activities and projects planned for today. We will be making hats with stripes and stars, making beaded necklaces with red, white and blue beads. I had hoped to find some red, white and blue rocket Popsicles but I searched three different stores and couldn't find any. Yesterday I baked some flag cookies to share. (By baked, I mean took them out of the package and placed them on a cookie sheet.)

At the end of the day we will meet outside by the flag pole. A police officer will meet us there and give a little speech. We will sing a couple of our patriotic songs. Many of us with sign them. I teach my kids how to sing and sign all of the patriotic songs. Speaking of patriotic songs...I remember one year at the beginning of the year we were singing America (My Country 'Tis of Thee) and one little girl started crying. I asked her what was wrong and she told me that she didn't want to sing about her father dying. ("Land where my fathers died"). One of my fellow teachers told me that she had a child ask her why they always had to talk about Richard standing when they did the Pledge of Allegiance when in reality they were supposed to be saying "for which it stands". Ah, you've gotta love little kids.

Happy early FLAG DAY to you all.

take care,
Dawn

Fishing

As I mentioned earlier this week, Tim has enjoyed going fishing with his father lately. They have gone at least once a day (twice last Sunday). Tim has told me that he has caught a sock, some branches, a clam and even the occasional fish! :)

Monday after Rich and Tim went to do an errand they returned with a new tackle box for Tim. I guess he has outgrown his old one. They are saving it for Mackenzie. What struck me when they returned home was the enthusiasm that Tim had as he loaded his new tackle box with his prized lures and such (I say and such because frankly I don't know what one puts in a tackle box!)

As he was fitting every thing into it's rightful slot it reminded me of doing the exact same thing when I got a new sewing box!

take care,
Dawn

6 days and counting

After today there will be six days left of school. Hopefully today the heatwave will break like expected! Today is the day the children have been waiting for for weeks. We are having a pizza party in the classroom!!!! Instead of lunch in the cafeteria we are ordering from a local pizza restaurant. I told the children that Mrs. M (our wonderful assistant) and myself would take their order and serve them!!! It is one of the most fun days of the year!!!

Today the kindergarten teachers are supposed to begin making our incoming class list. We are all assigned a group of children to make "cards" for based on their birthdays. I was working on mine last night when I realized that I did not "sort" the spreadsheet correctly and all the birthdays were WRONG. I had to call all the teachers (who luckily are also my friends) and tell them that I had made a m-m-m-m-m-mistake (that word doesn't come out easily!) and all the info was wrong. I'm so lucky that they are nice ladies as they all were very forgiving of my error!!!

Oh, I finally was able to leave a message with the doctor's office to let them know what days I would be available for an appointment. I hope to come home today with a message that includes a new appointment.

take care,

Dawn

Heat Wave

Oh my, it is so HOT!! For those of you who are used to it I don't know how you do it? It was about 88º yesterday with the same expected for today. That is exceptionally warm for Cape Cod in the beginning of June. It was simply brutal at school yesterday. There was no breeze even with the window wide open! Everyone was hot and uncomfortable. I taught the kids how to make paper fans today. We spent the day working with the lights out to keep it cooler (even if it was only in my mind LOL!). I have two fans in my car to bring to school tomorrow in hopes that it will offer some relief!

I had a meeting in the superintendent's office yesterday morning. They had AC it was wonderful. Later in the day I had another meeting in our school's office and they also have AC. The teachers and the 700 children suffered in the heat. One of the mother's brought some Popsicles for the kids in our class at the end of the day. The hardest part for me was knowing that I have central air at home and if I were here I would have been so much more comfortable.

I think today is the last day of the expected heat wave. PHEW!

take care,
Dawn

Photos, photos and more photos

Last night I sorted out 762 photographs that I have taken in my classroom all year. On the last day of school I give the children a gift and part of that is a photo album of all of the pictures of them that I have taken all year. I take pictures of the children on the first day we meet and then several times a week throughout the year. I try to include special events as well as every day events. I have pictures of them playing on the playground the first day of school, pajama day, the 100th day of school when they each put on a wig and glasses to look 100 years old, pictures of their egg drop inventions, eating green eggs and ham, a picture of each child with me on their birthday wearing their birthday crowns, Chinese New Year food tasting, decorating gingerbread cookies, erupting their volcanoes....you get the idea. I want them to remember their kindergarten year always. I hope it becomes a treasure.

I took pictures during field day last week that I need to develop. I also want to get a picture for their Father's Day frames.

As I said earlier I take pictures of them on the first day of school. Every month they draw a picture of themselves next to a tree and we put them to together in a book to go home in June. The book ends with a picture of them on the last week of school.

I've got my camera ready to head to school this morning for the next go round of pictures.

take care,
Dawn

My little update

I took this picture off of Brittainy's blog. Aren't they cute! Just two more weeks of school and I can spend more time with them.

***
Now to update the doctor situation. I left a couple more voice messages with the doctor's office on Friday. When I got home from school there was a message to call and leave some available days for them. When I called I got that funny beeping sound that sounds like you called a fax number. I replayed my answering machine three times to make sure I had the number right and I did. So, back to playing phone tag I guess on Monday.

***
Tim is still feeling under the weather. He's all stuffed up, coughing and loosing his voice. The poor boy. He hasn't been too sick though to go fishing with his dad. He seems to really enjoy going this year. Rich says he's getting better at casting so he is having more fun. I like when they both go fishing. I get some alone time :)

***
Did you realize the date yesterday was 6-7-8? I didn't until I went to the bank and filled out a deposit slip.

take care,
Dawn

Pink Saturday

My friend Beverly has started an idea of people posting a "Pink Saturday" along with her. I agreed to join in the festivities. The hard part for me is finding something pink. I like pink. I just don't have a lot that is pink. Hopefully, I'll be able to keep up with this for a while.


Here's my first Pink Saturday entry.

My favorite things in pink are flowers! These roses were a gift from a former student and her family to thank me for their child's kindergarten year. They were simply gorgeous!!!!

So there you have it my first official Pink Saturday post.

take care,
Dawn

10 days and counting

There are ten days left of school (counting today)! I am so excited and overwhelmed at the same time! Yesterday was our field day and it was such a nice, easy laid back day. I want the last ten days to feel the same way! I will be boring you with my countdown until it is done so bear with me!

I tried calling the doctor's office again yesterday and again only got voice messages. The second time I called I left a message that said please leave me a message and let me know when an actual person will be at the desk to answer the phone. I am really getting frustrated because I've left several messages and no one has called me back!!!!!!

I called Britt today and she told me that she got an appointment for Jack. He's having a little surgery. He's tongue tied and nursing is becoming an issue. He'll have the surgery on the 16th of the June. Poor little thing!

Tonight we are having a private retirement party for my friend Kathie. She'll get the framed picture tonight. I am looking forward to a fun evening with friends.

take care,
Dawn

One Ringy Dingy!

I never thought I would sound like my grandmother, but I miss the good old days. You remember those don't you. The days of walking to school up hill both ways in the snow :) How about the days you could call someone and an ACTUAL person answered the phone!!

All day long yesterday I tried to get through to a doctor's office because I needed to change the date of an appointment I have. I do not want to press 1 for the department I want. I don't want to press 4 for the new patient coordinator. I know if it is an emergency to hang up and call 9-1-1. If I knew the five digit extension I wanted I would press it...but I think you actually have to speak to a person to get that extension number. I'm sorry you are not at your desk. I don't know what you are doing. I do know that you are not at your desk to answer the phone! Why does it have to be so complicated to speak to an actual person. The more frustrating part is that I have to try it all over again today!

take care,
Dawn

I gave in and went to the doctors today

The coughing I have has been driving me crazy. I finally gave in yesterday and called the doctor. I have never in my life been seen so quickly :) I was in and out in less than 20 minutes. Come to find out I have bronchitis. I got a couple of prescriptions and I hope to be feeling better in a matter of days :) I am surprised Rich didn't try to strangle me the night before last because I kept coughing so much. I know if it was him coughing keeping me awake the thought would certainly cross my mind LOL!

I got my portion of the budget written last night. That is done for another year. I feel like a burden has been lifted. The big project now at school is the incoming class list and report cards. We've got 12 days left and I hope to get started on my report cards this weekend. I think I'm going to have to make a list of things to do.

An aside: I talked to Britt the other night and she told me that she was heating a pancake up in the toaster and Mackenzie told her to take the pancake out. She told her mom it wasn't for pancakes because it was a waffle cage! I thought that was funny!

take care,
Dawn

Bittersweet

One of my friends and colleagues is retiring at the end of this school year. Last Thursday night we had a retirement party for all of this year's retirees. This picture was taken of all six of us kindergarten teachers. (I had to blur the other faces because I didn't have permission to post them!). We are taking Kathie out to dinner Friday night and I made this digital scrapbook page to give her.

We have reserved a private room at a restaurant so we can "roast" her. We are planning on rewriting the words to Lucille by Kenny Rogers to sing to her LOL! I'm looking forward to the evening this Friday. It will be bittersweet though because it will be time to say goodbye to our friend!

take care,
Dawn

No mother of the year award for me today!

Rich and Tim went camping this weekend. Tim went Friday night only and Rich went until today. I let Tim sleep with me on Saturday and Sunday night. They must have had a great time camping on Friday. Sunday morning after Tim had already been sleeping 11 hours I woke him up so he'd be able to fall asleep at bed time.

Last night Tim woke up about 2 am and proceeded to just move around so much that I couldn't get back to sleep. He kept telling me he was shivering. I did have the window open but I was still hot. Finally he got up and went on the couch.

This morning after I got ready for school he was trying to tell me that he was sick. I told him he only had allergies and he was going to school...and that was that!

Then, I felt his head and he was really warm so I took his temperature. It was 101º. I felt badly for not believing him. The poor boy was really sick! I am keeping him home tomorrow too. Wednesday his class is taking a field trip to the Cape Cod Canal and I don't want him to be too sick to go!

My poor boy!

take care,
Dawn

It's Crunch Time!

It's that time of the year again. Our budget is due!! I have been working all weekend on getting my school budget done for the year 2009! It is a process that takes hours and hours to complete. I know I am lucky to have a budget when so many people don't. I always want to make sure I get just the right things. For some companies the shipping and handling throw me off and I have to go back and figure out what I can do without.

What has made it harder this year is that I have been sick for over a week and it has required more energy than usual. Before tomorrow I have to write it all over again and my colleagues and I will spilt up the orders and write them (yet again) on the schools purchase order forms.

It's almost done and then I can move on to the next monumental task! LOL!

take care,
Dawn

Congratulations to my niece Telia!!

My lovely niece, Telia graduated from high school today! I am so very proud of her. She has worked very hard and is a wonderful young lady. I am pleased beyond words for her. I hope the next step in her life brings her a bounty of happiness. She deserves it!!

It was so windy today at the graduation that things were blowing everywhere. All the kids were holding their mortarboards to their heads so they wouldn't blow away. At the very start it began to rain. (Luckily I brought my umbrella with me). They did cut down the speeches so the kids could get their diplomas before another rainfall came.

Congratulations Telia. I love you!

take care,
Dawn

Girls Night Out

I meet with a group of friends once a week to knit. We usually get together at one of our houses. We have been doing this for just over a year. Last night we went out to dinner to celebrate our "anniversary" . It was just what I needed to wind down from my stressful few days. I laughed so hard and it felt great!

We did an exchange where we all knitted the same bag for each other. It was a surprise for each of us since we didn't know who had who...or is it whom! With a little detective work I think we all figured out who we each had. When it came time for the exchange I got the most gorgeous shade of dark red for my bag and I just LOVE it. It's almost too nice to use :)

Tonight is another party. I almost think I can get used to this :)

take care,
Dawn

STRESSED!!

Yesterday was one of the most stressful days I have had in a long time!! I just have so many things going on and I am one to be easily overwhelmed. Just yesterday morning one of my friends was reminding me of something that was due Friday and I just cried! That's one of my ways of dealing with stress.

There is a retirement party at school tomorrow night and I was volunteered to sing in the "chorus". It's just a few snippets of some songs. For the life I me I can't get the tune of the chorus of RESPECT. I know you all sing it as loud as you can in your car when no one is listening LOL! I listened to it for what seemed liked hours and it still sounds pathetic. How do they do it on American Idol LOL!

We have a volunteer tea after school today and I never even got around to making something to bring. I did finish up my gifts last night so they are ready to go.

I am suffering from allergies and my lungs and chest are so sore from coughing.

The good news (of this whine fest of mine) is that tonight I am going out to dinner with some friends :)

There....now I feel better.

take care,
Dawn

Grandkids update

I had the wonderful opportunity to spend some time with my grandchildren on Friday. Mackenzie enjoyed playing with all of Tim's dinosaurs. They filled some buckets with water and put in reptiles of all shapes and sizes :)

Jack sat on my lap for a while. He likes when I sing Jack and Jill to him. Mackenzie on the other hand asks me to stop LOL!

Jack has the cutest thing going on with his hair. It sticks up like this naturally :) If he were a girl it would be perfect for a pony tail.


When he smiles it is a full fledged smile. What a cutie! I took all of these pictures from one of Britt's accounts. I am sure she doesn't mind if a few extra people get a peek at her beautiful children!

take care,
Dawn

Oh, what a lovely smell!

My whining has paid off! I stopped at Britt's to bring her some things that I had and she gave me some lilacs to bring home. Oh, do they smell lovely. I'm almost thinking that I should just go to a nursery and buy a lilac bush to plant somewhere else in my yard. I suppose I should think about moving the ones that I have already since they do not seem to be productive where they are.

Speaking of productive, I feel like I should have gotten so much more done today than I did. I headed out this morning and bought a new router so I can use my laptop and had a devil of a time (my grandmother used to say that all the time!) getting it hooked up. I have NO idea how I did it, or what I even did, but it seems to be working. Keep your fingers crossed.

I overbought in the summer clothes department for Tim today. He's going to end up with more clothes that he will wear. I don't know why I do this all the time. It's got to be a personality disorder of some sort.

take care,
Dawn

A touch of spring

I did my weekly grocery shopping today and on a whim bought myself some new dishes. I've been looking at these for weeks now and just took the plunge today. Even though there are only three of us here I bought enough for 12! My personality is to have extra just in case!!!!!

I think I am also feeling a bit nostalgic today because corning ware always reminds me of my grandmother. She used corning ware all the time. I have some of her corning ware oven ware that I use all the time.

It feels good doing a little spring cleaning and replacing the "winter snow cabin" dishes that I have been using for the last 15 years or so :) Now I've noticed that I need to go buy some new shelf liner because the old stuff is, well, OLD!

take care,
Dawn

Green thumb??

My friend Beverly posted about her hydrangea the other day and it made me, oh a little sad, to look at mine. It is just a matter of inches tall and no where near ready to bloom! Every year at school we have secret valentine's. In February of '07 I received this hydrangea from my secret valentine. It had lovely pink flowers on it. I planted it last year hoping it would come back bigger and better. I guess only time will tell.

Speaking of lovely pink plants. These are my azaleas in all of their glory this year. When they are in bloom that are just so lovely!!!

My greatest disappointment is my lilac bushes. I have had them 11 or 12 years and they never bloom!! I have neighbors who all have lilacs (some even in the shade) and I have nothing! Oh, how I long for the smell of fresh cut lilacs in my home. Someday I just going to have to go out and buy a lilac bush and start from scratch, hoping that it will eventually bloom.

take care,

Dawn