Fall

Fall is a lovely time of the year. 

         These things make me happy... 

• cool breezes coming from the sky, dotted with puffy clouds
• the colorful leaves slowly drifting into scattered piles
• the fresh cornucopias of harvest blessings
• Halloween costumes 
• bags and bags of candy
• homemade soup steaming on the stove
• pumpkin pie and apple crisp
• Candy corn mixed with salty peanuts
• girl's  weekend up north
• visiting local orchards- fresh donuts and honeycrisp apples
• Scarecrows and corn husks decorating the light posts
• Jack-o-lanterns lit on the porch
• long walks in the cool evenings

Autumn is wonderful...if I were a bird, I'd fly all around the globe, roosting in all the 'autumns' of the world.

      Things I don't love about autumn...

• MEAP tests
• knowing the cold and snow of winter is right around the corner
• late sunrises and early sunsets

Fortunately for me...the positives far out weigh the negatives of Autumn.   Let's enjoy the few days we have left of God's beauty.

Pure beauty...

Girl's weekend

Of course, we visited the pumpkin lady

Last weekend was a wonderful girl's get-away weekend.  Nine girlfriends trekked west across our great state to Pentwater.  There, we celebrated Marilyn's 'big' birthday!!  It was a time to not only celebrate Marilyn's birthday, but it was a time to catch up on what was going on in each other's lives.  Together, we laughed until we cried, ate lots of good food, hiked, climbed, walked, watched a movie together, ate more, shopped, admired God's handiwork in the beautiful colors painted on the trees, picked perfect pumpkins, and slept in till 8:00!  For me, the weekend was like being on a paradise vacation on a far-away island.  I'm so blessed with special friends.  Memories, words of encouragement, uplifting conversations, kindness, thoughtfulness abounding, pumpkins, chocolate. . . so much more. 

Marilyn's delish birtday cake

Present time  ...in our jammies

This says it all :)

On top of Mt. Baldy - simply beautiful (Stella and Cathy were still shopping)

Final photo shoot at the beautiful Pentwater Gazebo

Today...

Today was not my favorite!  At 7:10am, I entered the doors of my school with a happy, positive, perky attitude, but it didn't take long for me to decide I'd rather be home, under my covers. 

The copy machine got jammed...really jammed. 

My students were excited to celebrate a little boy's birthday more than they were excited to complete their five paragraph essay.  "What do you mean 'paragraphs'?  Indent??? What is that?"  Really!?  Is it really that difficult?  Do they NOT know the MEAP is coming in 2 weeks!?

I came home at 5:00pm. Exhausted. Hot. Tired.  Craig was golfing. Again. Grrr...   I decided to go to kickboxing to relieve my frustration.  What a perfect end to a troublesome day.  Instead of kickboxing, our teacher decided to do 'drums alive' (which is difficult to explain).  I totally enjoyed beating my little drum sticks on my exercise ball, moving, dancing, and banging!  Little sweet faces appeared on my ball as I drummed, drummed, and POUNDED!!  Phew...I'm feeling better. 

Now, Grey's Anatomy. 

Tomorrow is a new day!

U of M and MSU

This adorable puppy is so tolerant of her Mimi!! :)
I think she's sad she got left behind today.

Today is a big day for Julia and Adam, and ME!  Julia and Adam went to Ann Arbor to watch the Wolverines play at 11:00am.  After that game, they drove to East Lansing to watch the 8:00pm Spartan game.  They left this morning donned in blue and gold, but their trunk was filled with green and white to make the quick switch.

Why is it a big day for me?  I get to babysit my granddog, Bella.  She was dropped off early this morning in her blue and gold jersey - - ready to spend the day with Mimi!!  I wrapped her in her special blanket and rocked away!  :)  She makes me happy!

Well, I must run and get Bella dressed in her 'green and white' for the next big game.  Go M.S.U.!

I think she's a little embarrassed  U of M got scored on so many times!  Oh well, MSU will do better!

1st week back

I'm about to complete my first week back to school.  ...ugh...After 31 years, you'd think I would have this 'back-to-school' stuff down to a science.  Each new year brings new smiles, new problems, new challenges, and new love.  I look out at my 30 bright little smiles, and I'm amazed at what they know and what they will learn over the next 176 school days.  My job is not only to teach them, but I must equip them to be responsible adults...not an easy task.  I may not teach them everything, but I will teach them to think. To wonder. To dream. To make a difference. To reach. To strive to BE.
I love...
...their enthusiasm
...their curiosity
...their imagination
...their willingness to take a risk
...their innocence
...their questions
...their tenacity
...their giggling
...and their hugs!
I want to be the teacher who doesn't simply teach from the driven curriculum, but from her heart.  I want to inspire.  I want to encourage.  I want to teach!!  Here's to 176 more school days 'till summer! :)

Labor Day Weekend

Craig and Don had made a big golf date on Friday, so it seemed only fitting that Diane and I make plans to have lunch together. We choose our favorite...Bar Louie, in hopes of sitting in the outside area to catch up on our past week.  Unfortunately, Mother Nature didn't cooperate with our plans, but we snuggled into a quiet booth inside, and it was wonderful chatting and enjoying our Farmer's Market Pizza.  

 Friday evening, Craig and I headed west to Pentwater, as Don and Karen had invited us to celebrate the long weekend with them.  Craig and I were ecstatic to join Denise and John and Don and Karen in some Labor Day fun!  The weather did not cooperate with our beach plans, but we found lots to do in the rainy, windy, cooler days.  Honestly, it was just a treat leaving Genesee County for the weekend! :)  Time spent together with friends is priceless and so memorable.

We biked a wonderful trail

We went to the Country Dairy in New Era - - delish sandwiches and ice cream

 

 

 

And we witnessed God's beauty.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First time . . .

Julia and Adam invited Craig and me to dinner this afternoon.  DINNER?!! What??  
They wanted to try out their new grill and we were the proud recipients of their efforts.  It was an amazing time watching them scurry around their kitchen together, timing everything so the meal would be perfect.  I was impressed, to say the least!

Julia prepared potatoes for the grill . .  . lots of potatoes!   :)

Adam perfectly formed the hamburgers!

There were fresh green beans and corn on the cob!!!

The proud couple and their new grill!

Adam trying his hand at grilling . . . Craig supervising over his shoulder

Taadah!! The delicious dinner beautifully served on the sun porch.

Can you believe it?? ...Julia even made a delicious chocolate cake for dessert.

It was a delightful afternoon ~ ~ the dinner was delicious.  Watching the new bride and groom work together in the kitchen warmed my heart!  I was very proud of their accomplishments!

After dinner, Julia was spotted clipping coupons!  WHAT??  What has happened to my daughter!  Coupons?  Who would have thought she'd be interested in coupons !   You go, girl.