School's Back in Session

YEA!!!!

Now, I can begin on some home projects again.

I am still working on Craig's room, which will be revealed when all is complete.

But, I want to redo these:






The picture is not the greatest, but you can see my dry-erase calendar/message board on the left and corkboard to the right. In the middle I have photos. That have not stayed put on the fabric backing. The fabric needs to be lighter so it's easier to read. I need to have paper backing for the photo one and the corkboard needs help(let's just say the spray adhesive isn't too great). Also, the hooks you see in the wall....not going to stay there much longer. The backpacks are too heavy to hang and have made them loose and the wall will need repairing. I found a great shelf/hook unit for $15 at Target this summer and plan to hang it where the dry erase board is. The photo frame will move to the hallway and I'll have the 2 frames over the desk area. I also have a great bench that has a custom cushion(by me) that is just a little too long for the space and I'd like something that can hide the shoes, not just hold them. And maybe some cubbies for the backpacks. This is in my breakfast room. The door to the garage is just ot the left of the picture. The kitchen is on the left of the door. No entryway, mudroom. Just come right in to where we live. So, I've been hunting for fabric and new curtains. Pottery Barn has the perfect ones, but when you need 6 panels and an extra to make the door cover....have to see if bonuses happen next year. I do love the light I have in the house, but with 34 windows....it's hard to have them beautifully covered. so, stay tuned for the new boards...just don't hold your breath!

Beach Vacation

We had a wonderful visit to Fripp Island, SC last weekend. The beach is lovely with soft sand and waves that weren't too big. It wasn't too hot either, which was a blessing. Lots of time spent relaxing, walking along the beach and playing in the water with the kids.

Just one shot from the photo session(by mom) on the beach.

At the Cabana Club pool. It was fabulous with the island in the middle and waterfalls. It also sits on the edge of the marsh looking over the ocean. We all enjoyed that pool.


Sandcastle competition. Yeah, we only had a bucket each.

The native "wildlife". These small deer are very comfortable around people and have fairly free reign all over the island. They just have to watch out for the real wildlife...alligators.

The view from our balcony. I love watching the tide coming in and going back out.

A really great trip and we do want to return again. It's nice to find somewhere we like visiting enough to return again. I really just wish I wasn't so sensitive to the sun. I have to use 70+ and reapply regularly and still I get plenty of sun. I haven't been this tan in decades.

Now, back in the real world, my desk is piled high with paperwork from the kids' schools and I'm wading through the laundry while I attempt to finish cleaning the house and get Craig's "middleschooler" room finished. I guess I need a new project to do list!

One week to go

School starts again in one week. Thank goodness. I need time to work on so many things around the house. We came home a little early from our last minute trip to the beach for a band meeting. My son, the now 6th grader, is going to be in band this year, learning an instrument. His first choice is the trumpet, 2nd is baritone, 3rd is french horn. We will see on the 25th what he gets to play. I think quiet won't exist in my house again for a long time. I suppose I should warn the neighbors.

I have lots of great pictures from the beach, which Iwill show in another post. Today is only about meal planning, grocery shopping, and cleaning. Tomorrow is open house at middle school and Friday is open house at the elementary school. We missed the assignment letter pickup for the elementary school, so we are awaiting the mail. In the meantime, Megan can ride her new bike. She learned to ride without training wheels this summer and now has a bike the right size. The ridiculous part is that the bike is named Misty. seriously.

Vacation

div>Almost a month ago, we went on vacation to Freeport, Maine. We'd rented a house on the water and spent lots of time watching it rain.

View from the deck of the house we stayed at

We did lots of shopping both at LL Bean and other outlets. (North Face sample sale rocks!)

The boys did the kayaking walk-0n-adventure at LLBean and Craig and I did fly casting...learning to fly fish, albeit on grass.

This was the re-created fort at Colonial Pemaquid, which was a fun excursion before we headed down to the lighthouse.
The boys enjoyed their lobster dinners. Eating right on the dock is so fun, even if it was still cool when we visited.

AT the boot. The $ spent is cushioned by the fact that it was all cashback award $.

At the Maritime Museum in Bath. the kids got to launch the boat, learning in the process of how the tall ships were built on frames that would help them launch into the water. A very good musuem with lots of room for the kids to play and run around. Bath is also home to Halcyon Yarn, which got an hour's worth of attention from me and plenty of $ too. Hope to turn that into a nice project one day!

All in all a restful vacation spent in weather that is not hot and humid!







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My son, the graduate

My son, the graduate(of ELE)
The family...with the principal standing behind us...

I still don't understand why they have a graduation for fifth-grade. Oh, they call it a recognition ceremony, but you know what that means. It was very sweet to see all the kids in their fancy clothes and sad to know they are no longer in elementary school. The big, bad world of middle school is upon us. In other news, vacation was nice, more on that later. The kids are in day camp this week, so I've got loads of alone time. Just me and the laundry. Which I must go do now.

Way too long

The new patio. And it wasn't installed by me!

Yes, it's been a while. I've been crazy busy, and truthfully, don't have time to write this now. Yet, here I am.

The crocheted bunny. hideous, in my opinion. I don't think the pictured one in the mag was made with the same directions given. The head is way too large and I'm not showing it. ick.

I'm working on a hat and squares for an afghan. The knitted pillow-to-be is still on the needles.

And we're off to Maine in 2days for vacation.

My son is now a middle-schooler.

I'm feeling old and stressed that I have so much to do!

well, hopefully this will get rectified when we are on vacation.....

Crocheting

So, my knitting has been going slowly. I'm frustrated at how long it takes me and how uncoordinated I feel while knitting. I broke down and bought crochet hooks and a book. With help from http://www.purlbee.com/ , I figured it out. It goes so much faster. Maybe it's just me, but I'm enjoying it. This is my first granny square. Not too fab, not too horrid either. I have made another, and a whole dishrag, which isn't going to be pictured. I'm currently working on a "softie" for Megan. A crocheted bunny with dress. Amigurumi is the term for these funky, fun stuffed toys. I will post when completed. Of course, this just adds to my project list!