25 YEARS

WOW, it's been 25 years since I graduated from high school. I'm so serious when I say that I can't believe how fast time has gone by.

This weekend is my reunion. It begins with a "meet & greet" at a local restaurant on Friday night. Saturday afternoon we're taking a tour of our high school. Oh how fun it will be to reminisce. Then, on Saturday night is the big shin-dig at a hall with music, a yummy buffet of food and a cash bar (I'll be buying diet coke). I am really excited to see so many people from way back when.

I plan on taking lots of pictures to hopefully post on a future blog for you to see. In the meantime, check out this beauty.......


Yes, this is my senior picture chosen for the yearbook. Check out those hair sprayed feather bangs and the thick black eyeliner. Gotta love it!

Getting Organized

Ok, I have to admit it....I've been very lax at being organized lately. I played alot during the summer and neglected my household chores and seemed to have lost all organization skills. I know, I was a bad, bad girl. I just wanted to have some fun while the weather was nice.

Well, now that the cooler weather has set in and there's not so much to keep me busy outside, I have faced the fact it's time to get busy again inside.

So far I've cleaned out under my kitchen sink, my linen closet, my bedroom and Olivia's room. Now, I've got my biggest challenge ahead of me. It's my scrapbook/craft room. It has become a "catch all" and is driving me NUTS. In addition to organizing that room, I am also planning to paint it. If I'm brave, I'll post before/after pictures when it's all said and done.

I can delay this no longer, so off I go to get started.

Progress Reports and PTO

Gosh, it seems like school JUST started. That's not the case, though. The kids are half way through their first nine weeks which means progress report time. In the school my daughter use to attend, they only sent progress reports home if a child was in danger of failing. At her new school, the kids get progress reports sent home no matter if they are passing or failing. Granted, with the online tool that I have access to, I can see what her grades are as frequently as I feel it necessary. I had a good idea of what to expect, but I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised when the paperwork came home. Olivia brought home four A's, two B+'s and a P (pass). I am hoping and praying that school continues to go smooth for her. The transition from private to public has been so smooth it's kind of scary.

Side note: Olivia's day consists of 6-60 minute classes; although she technically has 7 classes. I know, it sounds confusing but it's really not. Every other day (green day/gold day) she switches between gym class and a rotation class. The rotation class changes every 9 weeks. This gives the kids more of a variety of classes throughout the year.

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On another note, I am making strides to get involved in the new school. I attended my first PTO meeting last night. I was a little overwhelmed at how much the PTO really does for the school. It's not something I've been exposed to so I didn't know what quite to expect. I'm looking forward to volunteering in all different areas of the school because I think a huge part of how a school exists is through the parents.

How about you? Do you help out at school or day care? If so, I hope you find it as rewarding as I do.

A Festival of Fall Color

Well, as much as I enjoy summer - sitting on the beach with my feet in the sand - I am looking forward to fall colors and smells. There's nothing prettier than watching tree leaves change from green to yellow to orange to red, etc... I love going to the pumpkin patch to pick out the perfect carving pumpkins, the fun gourds and pretty mums.

Festivals are fun to go to this time of year too. A few weeks ago we had the Blueberry Festival, then we had the Popcorn Festival and now it's Apple Festival time. My friend Susan and I enjoyed an Apple Festival today in a small town not too far from us. It was a beautiful fall day to walk around the craft booths, check out and enjoy the food and listen to a great singer on stage.

What's your favorite part of this season? Whatever it is, I hope you enjoy it to the fullest.

Until next time....

Wonderful Weekend

Let me tell you about my wonderful weekend...

Friday: It was a sun filled 80 degree day. My friend Susan and I headed toward the beach in New Buffalo. The morning started with a tasty breakfast at "Rosie's" and then we did a little window shopping. I found a real cute pair of croc boots for only $20 but I forgot to go back and buy them. Bummer. Around 11:30 our toes were in the sand and we were soaking up the rays. The beach was extremely peaceful as most kids in the area are back to school. As always with Susan, the conversation was endless and wonderful.

Saturday: It was another sun filled day. This time the high temp was about 85 degrees. First, I took Olivia for a haircut in the morning. She had mentioned to me the cut she wanted (right above her shoulders) and I knew I wouldn't feel comfortable doing it myself this time. I took her to the girl that does my hair because she was running a $5 "back to school" special. Jackpot. I must say, the cut is cute-cute-cute. Afterward, Olivia and I - along with my mom went to Art Beat in downtown. Local artists (drawing, painting, jewelry, ceramics, etc) display and sell their items. This year I read that over 10,000 people enjoyed the day. I know a good time was had by all.

Sunday: Oh yes! Yet again another sun filled day with a high of about 90 degrees. Hot-Hot-Hot. Olivia and I were invited by Susan (mentioned above in my Friday info) and her daughter to join them at their club's pool. Swimming and laying in the sun? Why sure, we'd love to join you! The girls went swimming and swimming and swimming while Susan and I talked and talked and talked while enjoying the sunshine. At the pool, the whistle blows every 45 minutes and kids get out so adults can get in. LOVE IT. Around supper time we parted ways to end our weekend and get ready for another work/school week.

I so enjoyed the sunny, hot weekend knowing that they are so few and far between with the onset of fall in a few short weeks. Although I love the colors of fall, I'm going to miss the heat of summer.

And she's off......

Today is the first day of a new school year for us!

My daughter has made a switch from a small private Christian school to a large public middle school. Although my husband, Olivia and I toyed with all elements in making this decision, we feel we made the right choice. The middle school is for 6th through 8th grade and with Olivia starting 6th grade, it seemed the perfect time to make a change. I am excited about the opportunities she'll be given in her new school.

Another big change for this year is the fact Olivia will be riding a school bus for the first time ever to and from school. She's thrilled! When she started kindergarten so many years ago (or so it seems), I remember her being very disappointed because she would not be riding a bus. We'll see how long the trill lasts - maybe a week or two (haha).

I'll be anxious to pick her up from the bus stop to hear all about her first day of 6th grade. Oh, and then we're off to the first football game of the season.

And so it begins....

Diary of a Wimpy Kid-The Ugly Truth

My daughter will be soooooo excited. I just got word that the 5th book in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series comes out on November 9th. It's called The Ugly Truth. Although I'm not going to pre-order it, we will get it as soon as it comes out!

Also, the movie (did you go see it?) comes out on DVD Aug 3rd. Oh yeah, we'll be getting that too. It was a really good movie - which doesn't happen too often these days.

Do you or your kids have a series of books that you enjoy?

Happy Reading...