trying to catch up...

As I mentioned in previous posts, after finishing school (and all of its packing), my next big thing was helping my mom with her church's Bible School. Thankfully, I had backed out of playing the piano for it, opting to teach the kindergarten class instead. I know, I know, it was kindergarten. BUT, let me tell you, what an eye-opening experience teaching middle-class kindergarteners!!! The one kid is reading on a 5th grade reading level!!!!! Another funny moment was when I asked the students what their favorite food is and one kid answered "pigs' stomachs on butcherin' day"!!! I was certainly not in the city! :)

Anyway, Bible School took up the morning, and in the afternoons I worked on my 1-credit class. I had told myself that I wouldn't go home until all of that work was submitted. By Sat., I was ready to go home, but unfortunately, my work wasn't done. Mon. at noon I submitted the last assignment and my car was packed by 1pm!

I do have to say that although the weather was entirely too cold for the clothes that I had packed, everything was beautiful. So, I end this post with a lot of pictures from the week in Johnstown (well, the surrounding area anyway).

June 15th, my husband rode out with me and we went water-skiing with my 2 sisters and their significant others (husband & boyfriend) at the Youghiogheny River Lake. Hubby then rode back home with my youngest sister and her boyfriend. The first picture is from wikipedia. I took the rest.

The newborn llama (called a "cria")

and a few days later...
finally, some scenic shots (in slideshow format because there are so many!)

p.s. did you notice the new header picture? :)

sorry it has been so long!!

In the last month since I last posted, I have only been home 7 days (not in a row) - and those were spent working on the kitchen and doing laundry to get ready to leave again!

Anyway, there is a lot I want to share with you about these last few weeks, but alas, that will have to wait until later. So, I will just do a quick update on my book list for the 50 Book Challenge!

4. A Place Called Here - Cecelia Ahern: she's the author of P.S. I Love You, but do not expect this book to be even remotely similar!

5. Being Committed - Anna Maxted: chick lit

6. Sleeping Together - Stacey Ballis: chick lit

7. My Fake Wedding - Mina Ford: chick lit, but much more vulgar than they usually are; also, a LOT of British slang that was difficult to understand

8. The Lightning Thief- Rick Riordan: the first in a young adult's series regarding the Olympians (you know, Greek gods); very cool, especially if you know anything about Greek mythology

9. Uglies - Scott Westerfeld

10. Pretties - Scott Westerfeld

11. Specials - Scott Westerfeld: also YA, but older; EXCELLENT trilogy. There is a fourth, but I've been told that it doesn't quite fit in with these last 3

12. The Sea of Monsters - Rick Riordan

13. The Titan's Curse - Rick Riordan: I am ready for book 4 in this series!

14. Lucy's Launderette - Betsy Burke: chick lit

15. Island of Lost Girls - Jennifer McMahon: I'm not quite sure how I feel about this book; it's a quick read, and sort of reminds me of Alice Sebold's Lovely Bones

So, all in all, as busy as I have been, I've still managed to read 12 books! We'll see if I can keep this pace! :)

2 down, 3 to go

At 3:15 today I filed my last cum folder, officially ending this school year. It is amazing how much I feel like a load has been lifted off of my shoulders!

I had my summative evaluation on Friday. It went a lot better than I thought it would. In fact, I was reminded again why I will continue teaching in that building - I really do work for a wonderful principal, and I know that they are few and far between!

Friday night a bunch of us headed to a colleague's home for a picnic and we had a blast! Honestly, I don't think I have laughed so hard in 9 months!

So, the school year has ended (#1), my room is all packed up and the key is turned in (#2). Now I just have Bible School next week, my grad. class to finish, and the kitchen to complete.

Oh, the kitchen is turning out quite nicely. We decided to replace the doors (after I spent all day Sat. installing them!!), so we spent yesterday afternoon at IKEA picking up the replacement doors and hardware. I can't wait to put them on! Now I am just having a difficult time deciding on a wall paint color.

Tomorrow is supposed to be the 5th day in our horrific heat wave. All I can say is thank goodness the students were gone before it got this hot! I am turning in the soda can tabs that I collected for the Ronald McDonald House, baby-sitting my "nephew," and getting an x-ray on my right hip area (I have had increasing pain in the area in for the last 3 months. If x-rays don't show anything, I'm headed to physical therapy). "Nephew"s mom and I were going to plant some vegetables, too, but I don't know if I want to be in the heat, so we'll see.

I leave you with the video of my packed classroom! I don't even want to think about unpacking in 3 months!! (and re-packing again in the spring!!!!!!!!)

Until next time...

IT'S OVER!!!!!

Just had to say it - the kids are gone, school is done, I'm ready for vacation!

Oh wait...I still have 3 hours of "professional development" tomorrow, cum folders to complete, my summative (ha! spell checker doesn't like this word!) evaluation to receive, and the last few boxes to pack...

But the kids are gone!

More to come later...