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
- 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
