• good news upon walking in to work today - an extra long weekend!
• feeling over prepared for a new school year, did not know that was possible
• hearing about my husband's day
• a surprise at the cash register
• new shoes
• girl talk
• an inspirational blog, today's reminder that God does not ask me to be perfect, just to praise
• "this is me," being who I'm meant to be

• faculty gathering in one place, the blending of voices in harmony as we worship our God together
• stories of encouragement from parents and students, a reminder of why all the work is absolutely worth it
• sharing a dream, gaining affirmation and support
• a sweet boy's smile
• missing keys: providing an opportunity to walk and talk with a friend
• an extra day of summer!
• grateful for continued electricity and a now-dry basement, prayers for those in much worse conditions
• Shaun Groves singing "All is Grace"

• getting back into routine
• walking from class to class to socialize with colleagues
• an immediate hug from a new student
• meeting my new crew of 2nd graders, seeing their excitement
• visitors from last year's class
• setting goals for a new school year, sticking to them on day one
• making dinner for my husband

• shelter and safety in the storm
• a diligent husband working and working to get our basement dry
• family that lives nearby to lend a helping hand
• only a brief power outage
• a cleaning spree
• cuddling with my love on my last night of summer

hanging home made signs

completing a long overdue craft project

• getting laundry and errands done before the rain fall
• seeing progress in the apartment downstairs
• surprise guest at the door, spontaneous meal with family
• refreshing on curriculum, need to do less and less with each passing year
• laughing at some of the ridiculous media coverage for incoming Irene
• no water in the basement... yet!

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2011

• sunshine before the storm, relaxing on the shore line
• enjoying one last non-working weekday
• crashing waves, watching boogie board surfers
• "Firefly Lane" by Kristin Hannah
• leaving early enough to avoid the evacuation rush
• dinner at Blue Moon Cafe
• sitting around the camp fire, spotting lightning bugs

• cherry butter jam from Ithaca
• stranded at home with my husband, semi-hourly hugs and kisses
• set plans for the first week of school, and even beyond - it is a foreign feeling to be ahead of the game in lesson planning - I hope I can keep this motivation going!
• unlimited photo archiving on shutterfly
• getting our car back in time to run errands and go to the in-laws' for dinner
• discovering an old coin and stamp collection

• the scent of mint chocolate brownies filling my kitchen
• a running start into my lesson planning, feeling confident about where I am going
• the company of colleagues before our lives become crazy again
• gorgeous temperatures for sitting outside and driving with the windows down
• my dad's AAA card - sure came in handy this summer! helping hands and willing drivers to help me cope with car trouble
• mom's home cooking and grandma's baking, amazing combination
• a conversation to clear the air and get all on the same page

• finding the school alive with teachers, doing more chatting than working!
• two sweet little boys taking my hand to show me the way
• snaggle teeth, and toothless grins
• brain storming with my 2nd grade team
• crafting and catching up with a close friend, making projects for me! (pictures to come)
• a.j.e.less designs blog up and running

• warm, fresh from the oven peach pie, ice cream melting on top
• spending time with good friends after weeks away, oohing and aahing over their new items
• seeing the fruits of our labor
• ideal temps and cool breeze coming through the windows
• organic items from Trader Joe's
• Downy-smelling laundry on the clothes line outside
• the sky at dusk: a mixture of blue, pink, and orange - the perfect backdrop for an evening stroll with my love

"Stay-cation" in Syracuse

• seeing our soul friends again after 3 months of separation
• a tour of their new home
• 4 rounds of our favorite game, everyone a winner

• enjoying dinners out, using a Groupon certificate to cut our bill in half!
• adventures in Ithaca, making stops for wineries
• locally made food and drinks
• beautiful vineyard views
• $2 wine tastings
• following the trail to an overlook, water cascading down
• grapes bursting with flavor

• laughing through an old movie
• the combination of wine & fudge
• conversations of all kinds, from silly to sacred
• hiking to Tinker Falls
• panoramic mountain top views
• eating lunch under nature's overhang while water fell from above
• exploring, playing in the falls

• invitation to visit Axiom, a better understanding of its mission
• an amazing book transformed into a movie
• one last meal together, taking out the calendar to plan when we will meet again
• a dark and lengthy car ride home, perfect for discussions with my hubby

• mini cupcake delivery
• long lines of sympathy, hearts and prayers reaching out to a beloved family
• watching an artist at work, birch trees appearing on a grand canvas
• Gram's smile upon seeing her grandson again
• treated to lunch at Panera
• a yard transformed after my husband's hard work
• family dinner at Rosario's, our favorite
• packing our bags again, looking forward to a weekend with close friends ... more to come when we return!

TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2011

• spending the day with my soon-to-be sister-in-law
• baking and frosting mini cupcakes
• A-dorable favors
• weather clearing up, time for a walk
• a successful shower, generous family and friends
• reversible name plate sign
• extra hands to help with presents and clean-up

• buffet breakfast reminding us of our honeymoon in Antigua
• water droplets making for pretty pictures
• getting settled at home again, enjoying just being together again even if it means completing separate tasks
• brother and soon to be sister stopping by their new home, giving us the chance to say hello
• cooking and eating a meal in our kitchen

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2011

• sitting in church next to my husband
• a fitting song
• an over-night getaway to Long Island, celebrating our 1st anniversary (better late than never!)
• successful Living Social deal
• Glen Cove Mansion - beautiful grounds and amenities, friendly and helpful wait staff
• delicious dinner for two, including free drinks and $25 off coupon
• a break in the rain, an opportunity to explore the beach
• turning off technology, enjoying time with just the two of us

My Hubby is Home!

I have done nothing but smile these past few days. I could not be happier to have my husband back. We have spent our days together, along with friends and family. Here are a few highlights:


Thursday, August 11, 2011

• waking up next to my hubby
• almost all of his immediate family in one place
• a picture slideshow of his Jordan photos
• watching him take back the kitchen with his culinary skills
• taking turns holding our niece, seeing her smile
• walking alongside the stroller on a beautiful day

Friday, August 12, 2011

• relaxing in lounge chairs on the dock
• finishing The Help, wishing it was longer
• a swim in the lake
• visiting with all of my grandparents
• three couples around a camp fire
• sleep over at Green Pond

Saturday, August 13, 2011

• delicious french toast breakfast
• kayak ride with my love
• surprise return guest, a walk down lake end road with 2 best friends
• welcome home dinner, complete with strawberry cake
• sitting in the passenger seat of the car - it's been a while!
• learning random words in Arabic

• picking up my love from the airport, hugs and kisses that we have waited 2 months for!

That's it, that's all I needed today.

Not quite done, but getting closer!

• making progress on our core values mural at school
• assembling parent information packets, crossing it off the list
• last day of work at Reiner for a while
• finding favors for an upcoming shower
• a favorite song playing on the radio at the perfect time
• a purse-size pink umbrella coming in handy
• spotting blue sky behind the rain clouds
• reuniting with family, particularly my absolutely adorable niece - seeing her eyes open and alert
• catching up with two good friends, wish they both lived closer
• that butterfly feeling inside when I think about seeing my love in less than 24 hours!

• last time in my classroom for a while, it's ready for students and parents to see in a few weeks!
• making final decisions on important details such as my management plan and homework policy for the upcoming year, hoping they bring success
• moving into my own house again
• enjoying dinner around the island with the 5 of us - this will be a rare combination from now on
• practicing Blessings by Laura Story
• counting down the days... hours... so close!

• waking up in NYC
• lucking out with front row student rush tickets to see Memphis on Broadway!

• plenty of time on lines to catch up
• create your own salads for lunch
• a huge, but lucky umbrella - by carrying it around all day, we never had to use it despite forecasts for rain, rain, and more rain

• matinee show that allowed us to get home earlier
• devouring whole boxes of chocolate candy during the show
• sitting so close that we could see every facial expression
• phenomenal talent - singing & dancing, even from the understudies!
•  "couldn't be better" timing on the trains
• discussing what show we want to see next

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2011

• catching up with my husband, counting down the days!
• french toast for breakfast
• peace and quiet on the dock, curling up with a good book and reading for hours
• finding bargains on the clearance rack at Target
• wearing a new ($5!) dress
• meeting up with a best friend in New York City
• my very own "taxi" to pick me up from Penn Station and bring me to my destination (A's boyfriend is a keeper!)
• yummy dessert drinks at Cafe Lola
• strolling through the upper west side, taking in the views from a pier on the Hudson
• scoring a city apartment for the night

. . . mmm . . .

"Praise the Lord, O my soul.

   O LORD my God, you are very great;

   you are clothed with splendor and majesty.

He wraps himself in light as with a garment;

he stretches out the heavens like a tent

and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters.

He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind."

Psalm 104:1-3

• lazy lake day
• walking to the end of the lake with mom, enjoying the view of the cove
• finishing my book, looking forward to my next novel of choice The Help
• extended family joining us for dinner
• fast and slow boat rides
• sunny beams reflected on the water