Good Times, Good People

Over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, Seann and I headed to Michigan to visit and celebrate the 28th wedding anniversary of my grandparents. We managed to get non-stop flights both ways which dramatically reduced travel time. Unfortunately, that's also a loooong time to be on a plane. On the way to Michigan they changed our plane and we ended up on one of those huge planes that has two aisles with seats in sets of 2-4-2. That plane had little TV monitors in the seat back in front of you so you could watch a movie or TV show or even play games. But on the way home we were back in the smaller plane that didn't even have overhead TVs. Nothing. For FIVE hours. It was excrutiatingly boring. Both Seann and I were exhausted. I tried to sleep but couldn't. We worked on crosswords, chatted and I finished my book. I was so ready for that plane to land.

But who cares about the flights, right? Let's get on with it.

Seann and I stayed with Heather. She apparently put her poor little daughter to work like a dog because the house and yard were sparkling. She even painted the front porch! Who does that? Her cute house and well-maintained yard put me to shame and has inspired me to get off my duff and make some progress on our own home decorating/yard landscaping. I've gotten so far as watering my wilting houseplants. These things take time, man.

After landing, Heather took us straight to Grandpa's house for a little pre-party party. Because when you travel all the way to Michigan you might as well make the most of it. And a lot of us were travellers. All 12 kids and many of the grandkids (and great-grandkid) were there. There were many people I hadn't yet met in person (but had met on Facebook!) and many who I hadn't seen in ten years. It was so much fun to chat with everyone and just hang out and feel all the McNamara/O'Donnell love.

We got to see lots and lots of Ally. She is so grown up! Time goes by way too quickly. She'll already be in first grade next year! She and Seann played Hangman on the front porch for a looong time. That kid can really spell! She also loves the iPhone. Stacy's boyfriend had his on him and by the end of the night, Ally was playing games while Judson napped, I mean, watched.

I am so glad I went and wish we could do things like this more often. Yet another bummer of having everyone live in different corners of the States.

There were lots of cameras flashing, as well as some semi-professional shots done. I don't have those yet, but here are a couple I do have. (I stole a couple of these off Kevin's & Nora's Facebook pages. So sue me.)

Stacy, Grandma Barbara & me

Getting all lined up for a huge group shot. This is only about half of us.

Judson showing Ally the ropes.

My sweet niece.

Mom and her girls.

Busy busy

I sort of thought I'd get a bit of a break this summer with only one measly little class. But I have instead kept myself very busy these first few weeks post-school. Seann & I spent the first week doing a lot of little projects. Seann fixed all of our torn and missing screens, put in a ceiling fan, changed a light fixture in my office, put up some cabinets in my office, barricaded the compost bin (to deter dogs) and generally kicked butt. I was extremely helpful, too, as I sat desperately trying to finish the third Fablehaven book (not a vampire series).

In truth, I spent a good deal of time finishing up some quilting projects. I finished three quilt tops and have cut out two more. Mary Jane gave me a complex and I decided I had better get to work on finishing the many, many quilt projects I have planned or started. It's a tall order, but I've decided to tackle it head on ("apply directly to your forehead!").

I'll try and get some more photos up soon, but here is a pic of one of the quilt tops:


Not the greatest shot, but it doesn't hang on my quilt wall since it's a twin size.

I heart vacation

Here's what I love about vacation:

• Sleeping in. While going to school and working I woke up at 6:00 Monday through Saturday and at 5:00 on Sundays. So even though I woke up at 7:30 today, it still counts as sleeping in. And it is glorious.
• No schedule. I don't have to have lunch between 12:15 & 12:55. I can go see a movie in the middle of the day (The Hangover is great, by the way). We can take the dogs to the park at lunchtime. I can watch Charmed (not that I am. I just could, that's all I'm saying.)
• Staying up late. Not too late. But knowing that I don't have to start getting ready for bed at 9:00 is a liberating thing.
  
• No homework. I am done with homework. None to do, none to grade. No more work sample. No more lesson plans. No more reflections.
• Avoiding crowds. No wonder housewives shop during the week!

Unfortunately, vacations end. My ends on Friday. Back to work Saturday morning and then back to class on Monday. Only for four weeks and only 2 days a week. And then I'm done. Officially done. Really done. Degree in hand done. Phew!

Oh, um, one more thing. Anybody know where I can find a job? =)

Crafty friends

I have such crafty friends! Check out my "Other Places I Like to Visit" link list to see just how crafty:

• Home Grown Products--Donavan and Lacey have been busy sewing some super cute bags, little girl dresses and bibs
• Nora McNamara--Nora has some really awesome rings and earrings.
• Virginia's Boutique--Ginger has an amazing inventory of necklaces, earrings and bracelets.
• Created by Jen--Lovely word art that makes me want to be creative.

I think it is wonderful that there is a place they can all showcase their talents and share them with others. Please stop by for a visit and check out all my crafty friends!

Obsession

I have an obsession. I love to read children's books. Particularly intermediate level novels. They are so entertaining! Books written for adults have such weighty concerns. When you really want to escape, these books are where it's at. The Percy Jackson and the Olympians series is very good, filled with adventure, triumph, love, and it's educational! There is a ton of Greek mythology crammed into these books without making them boring and dry like a textbook.

But I've been reading more than just the four books in the Olympian series. I've been reading Sharon Creech (LOVE her) and Fablehaven (4th graders love this as read-aloud) and Inkheart (like I have time to add more series to my list!!). I've been rereading favorites from my own school years (Bridge to Terabithia) and discovering all sorts of new books and authors (Ida B, Kate DiCamillo).

I really think people are missing out by not reading more of these intermediate level books. They are very well-crafted and do a great job on keeping me engaged, even as an adult reader.

The only problem is that I can't seem to stop buying them! This pretty much guarantees I'll be teaching kindergarten, doesn't it?