Bunco...

Notice Margaret's and my 'bunco babe' shirts!!

Last night was our monthly Bunco night! It was hosted by Barb at Missy's beautiful house (because Barb's house is under major reconstruction)! She provided us a delicious meal catered from Italia Gardens, which we all enjoyed! We always have a fun time together laughing and catching up on each other's latest bits of news. Ding, ding, ding went the bell and the dice began to fly! Every now and again, you'll hear someone scream "BUNCO" when they've rolled three of the correct number! Cheers and moans and groans rise from the crowd! The best part of the evening is the prize time! Last night I won a great prize . . .a beautiful picture for my family room... even though I was the loser!!! Sometimes it pays off to be the loser!! I always look forward to our bunco evenings!! "BUNCO!!"

Menopause. . .

( Missy and me at my wonderful 50th birthday party!!!)

Yesterday, Missy, Mary, Susan, Judy and I went to see Menopause The Musical in Lansing. (www.menopausethemusical.com) We laughed continually for 2 hours. Isn't it funny when you see your life flash across the big stage ??. . . 'Welcome to my world'!! Our evening began at the 'Big Easy' where we enjoyed a delicious seafood dinner! (I totally enjoyed every morsel of my tilapia with lemon butter caper sauce!! Yummmmmy!!) We arrived at the quaint, small, Fairchild Theater in East Lansing, without a hitch. It was a relaxing evening, and fun to be able to sit back and laugh and poke fun at things such as hot flashes, memory loss, mood swings, wrinkles, night sweats and eating binges. Changes . . . not fun. Maybe someday I'll look back and smile! I'm learning real women don't have hot flashes . . . they have power surges! Surge on!!!

. . .one pooped girl

Isn't this a lovely pose?! . . .One pooped girl!

What a day I had today! I headed off for school this morning at 7:00am, listening to the radio and planning my day! After hearing the weatherman give the daily temperature of 85, I couldn't remember if I had put on any deodorant. (Duh...it's all downhill after 50!!) Knowing I certainly would be needing deodorant in my little 'sweat box' classroom, I quickly pulled into Walgreen's in Flushing to purchase some. (Phew...got that little problem taken care of!!) I arrived at school, taught all day, meet with two parents after school, responded to some emails, and at 4:30, I headed to church to work in the coffee shop. I love working there because I get to spent time with Karen and Brenda! How is it that friends can energize me? I so enjoy their company! I left the church at 7:30, ran to buy dog food, do a quick return at Target (if there is such a thing!!), and headed for home at 9:00pm. My feet hurt, my hair's flat, my make up is all off, and I'm pooped! Fourteen hour days are not a good thing for a 50 year old! I must run to bed so I can start over again tomorrow!!! :)

T.G.I.F.!!

Friday night Craig and I went to dinner with Tom and Connie! They picked us up around 6:30 and we headed to Mr. Brown's Backyard. We each ordered the 'fried perch special'. It was delicious . . . and we all ate far too much!! On the way back to our house, we snuck into Brent and Sara's garden to pick some of their tomatoes. Tom and I tiptoed through the damp plants and rescued a handful of red, juicy, cherry tomatoes. (Boy, are they good!!) Together, the guys shared golf stories and Connie and I discussed Adrienne's wedding plans. How is it possible that she and Patrick will be married in June? I still picture her as a little girl with dark curly hair and those big beautiful bright eyes!! I am certain of one thing, Adrienne will be a beautiful bride! What an exciting time for them to plan and prepare for this special occasion!

Friends - time together

Today was another wonderful day! It was our birthday celebration for Gail ~ Diane and I took her to a quaint little cafe in Clio, 4 Katz, for a delicious lunch. We shared rich conversations and several giggles, too. After a long and relaxing lunch, we left the cafe and drove to the movie theater to see Mr. Woodcock. Again, we shared some laughs but it isn't a movie I'd recommend others to see! A day spent with Diane and Gail is never complete without a stop at T. J. Maxx! After rummaging through the store for over an hour, we headed home, our arms brimming with bags.

Days spend with my friends are precious and dear. I am so blessed to have these girlfriends in my life - - they are my confidants, my therapists, my personal trainers, my secret sharers, and my sistas!! Thanks, Diane and Gail, for filling my life with joy, my heart with with love, and my soul with sunshine! We are truly a circle of friends!

Lonely days

Once again, Craig and I have experienced the "empty nest" syndrome in our home. Jonathan and Julia are at their schools, and Dad left yesterday to return to sunny, warm Phoenix! He was so looking forward to his return to the southwest! I, however, am already missing him very much! Each day throughout the summer he'd join us for dinner - - a time we all looked so forward to. Now, Craig and I sit across the table from one another, asking the same 'how was your day' questions, secretly wishing the room was teeming with family! I look forward to the times we're all together, eating around the table, laughing, and sharing stories with one another. In my opinion, a crowded nest is always the best!!

New love . . .good news, bad news

This spring I fell in love with the Tropical Smoothie Cafe. I have to blame Julia as she was the one who introduced me to their delicious, creamy smoothies! She and I frequented TSC often. Early in the summer, Gail, Diane, and I went for a smoothie 'dessert' after a delicious meal together. Throughout the summer, Diane, Julia, and I began to eat their yummy wraps and sandwiches on a regular basis! Well, Saturday, Diane and I went, had a fantastic chicken wrap and smoothie. (Of course, we couldn't waste those valuable 'buy one, get one 1/2 off' coupons!!) Upon leaving, I asked for a nutritional guide of their menu! I WAS SHOCKED!!! I had been consuming SO-O-O-O many calories and fat grams - - no wonder I've outgrown my pants!! Knowing all along, a waist is a terrible thing to mind, I've decided to ONLY darken the doors of the Tropical Smoothie Cafe to purchase a low-fat smoothie with splenda! It's the beginning of my new weight loss program!! I am going to mind my waist and try to find it again!! Bummer!

2nd week

Well, I've completed my second week of school . . . and things are getting better! :) The children and I are learning (and figuring out) our classroom procedures and rules. I am slowly beginning to know each one and what they are capable of academically! Every day they come to school eager and ready to learn! I find it an awesome responsible to fill their minds with knowledge and help to prepare them for adulthood! Most of them are like little sponges, soaking up each and every word I say! I remind myself daily that students don't care how much I know until they know how much I care!! I hope my students feel loved! They energize and challenge me to rise to a new level on a daily basis! What a privilege it is to be their teacher! :)

Summer's end

Today is Labor Day . . . the very last day for summer fun! Oh. . . the good 'ol days of summertime! We had a great day enjoying the warm sun and cloudless sky! I ran errands, and worked around the house. Craig had a big golf outing in Lansing. We ended the evening with a cookout with Don and Diane, Dad, and Bob and Missy. We ate outside and later enjoyed the sights and sounds of the warm, crackling campfire! Summer, oh summer...it came and went so quickly! Sometimes I think SUMMER is the best word in the entire dictionary!

Tomorrow we will return to our classrooms, and begin our "fall" routine and schedule. Soon it will be Halloween, then Thanksgiving will arrive, and very quickly Christmas will sneak up on us. Shortly after New Year's, we'll celebrate Easter, and THEN, summer will arrive! Once again I'll be able to enjoy the warm summer sun and blue cloudless sky!!

I must always remember that winter is an etching, spring is a watercolor, summer is an oil painting, and autumn is a mosaic of them all! I'm looking forward to autumn!!

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