Found

I saw this on another blog, and while it's kind of strange, we've had several laughs over it. We hope it makes you chuckle as well. :) And it's actually kinda cool because bees actually do a dance when they find nectar to tell the other bees in the hive where it is and how far away it is (I read about it for science, and I'm going to have my class do the real bee dance in the next week or two!). Amazing, huh?

It's Been Awhile....

..whew ! August 23 was my last post. Eek!

I guess you could say things have been pretty busy around here. I haven't been able to do any more embroidering or sewing since TS Fay came through and I had those 2 days off for the storms. But I am hoping to this weekend, especially because I have some more gifts to make. :) And the fabric is already picked out, so that helps a LOT!

It has been SUPER busy at school. On top of keeping a team of 6 (3 brand new to our school) going, I have my own classroom things to keep running. Tomorrow night is open house, so that adds a whole other element to the current stress level. And then Monday is our last day to enter progress report grades. In the past, we've done them by hand (on carbon copy forms). But this year we have a fancy schmancy new program that we have to use. I need to grade some reading and writing assignments, and then I should be good to go. We had a slow start with reading since we didn't have our whole kids (just TEs and student books). And the pace I think is just a lot faster than lots of my new-to-my-school students are used to. I was trying to give them a chance to complete their folder work, so I wouldn't have to enter incompletes for assignments. And then writing has been delayed because we JUST got the writing criteria finalized/approved yesterday afternoon! Ay ay ay!

Last night I got home at 6, and tonight I got home at 6:30. While I have a GREAT class (really, I do!), it's still a long day when the alarm goes off at 5:30, you chase 8 year-olds around all day, and then stay in your room until 6:30. Matt is oh-so-sweetly picking up our favorite Chinese on his way home tonight. Yum!

It's amazing the things that fall by the wayside when your day is filled up with work. You know, things like:

• laundry (especially ironing... but really, it's not AWFUL... yet)
• **depositing my paycheck that I received Sept. 1**
• vacuuming (and getting a replacement belt for the vacuum, because I think mine will wear through ANY day now)
• grocery shopping/meal planning
• walking the dog
• sleep

You get the idea. ;) Then you add the WONDERFUL addition of our newest niece, Isabella Rose, to the mix, and you have a FULL plate! On top of all that, we drove to SC last weekend to meet Isabella. :) We wouldn't have wanted it any other way, but I didn't get anything done around the house. I was "lucky" do get my grading done in the car and figure out what I was teaching for Monday on Sunday night!

So, I think you have a snapshot of our life right now. There have been some other confounding factors that makes it seem like that balls we're trying to juggle are actually dropping left and right, but we know Who's really catching them--and we're unspeakably thankful to know Who really has it all in control (we'd be in SO much trouble if I was truly in control, as I'm so apt to think I am). Hopefully those things will settle out in the next couple weeks and with that will go a huge load we've been carrying.

Thanks to everyone who's been praying and encouraging us through this absolutely crazy time!

Love,
Becca

Top 8

I saw a link to this blog, on which the author is providing topics for people to respond to with lists of 8. I wish I'd caught it a few days ago, but today's is fun, too. :)

Without further ado, 8 things I love (in no particular order):

1. Jesus

2. Matt


3. My family: I have to lump them together, or I'd go way over 8 between my parents, my siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, niece, nephews, and then Matt's family, too! Whew! We are blessed with lots of wonderful people. :)
Here's a shot I *love* of two particularly wonderful people :)


4. Samantha


5. Strawberry lemonade (especially from Chili's)

6. The beach


7. Our friends (again, lumped together ya'll, sorry!)
The picture currently still on the hard drive that included the most friends in one shot :)


8. Successfully making something and it turning out the way I pictured in my head :)

Today's epidode is sponsored by the letter K!

THE FIRST LETTER
give it a try!

(from E's blog)

*Use the 1st letter of your last name to answer each of the following...
*They have to be real places, names, things...nothing made up!
*Try to use different answers if the person in front of you had the same 1st initial. (WHICH BY THE WAY IS HARD IF YOU ALREADY READ THEIR ANSWERS) You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl...

You can only use an answer 1 time!

1. What is your last name ?...............Ku**

2. 4 letter word......................................kite

3. Vehicle: ............................................. knee board (kinda sorta)

4. City, State or county........................ Kalamazoo

5. Boy Name: .......................................Kristopher

6.Girl name: .........................................Katie

7. Occupation: ..................................... king

8. Something you wear:...................... karats (my wedding band and e-ring)

9. Food: ................................................ kneaded bread

10. Found in a bathroom:................... kids

11. Reason for Being Late:............... kindergartner lost her shoe

12. Something you shout:................... Know thyself!

13. Animal:............................................. kangaroo

14. Word to describe you:................... kind

15. Color:................................................ kool aid red

p.s. k was hard! :)

Here's a really cute "counting to 4" Sesame Street version of Feist's song, "1 2 3 4." Check it out! And Mom, you will totally love all the Sesame Street birds! :)

Quick Update

We spent the last week split between our two families in SC and TN. We got to spend much-needed time with each of them, celebrate a baby shower, a birthday, Independence Day, catch up with friends before the move, see a beautiful park, wakeboard, and play with the kiddos. It was GREAT! I'll have pictures soon, but first I need to let you know about another perk of the new HVAC system (I'm sure you're groaning, so I'll try not to talk about it too much more).

This may be gross to some or just completely boring to others, but every time we have gone on vacation during the past 2 years we have lived in this house, we have come home to moldy, mildewy toilets. The bowl and underneath side of the side have been yucky every time. Now, it's not like "left food in the fridge for 2 months and it has its own head of hair" gross, but still, gross when you're used to keeping a clean house!

Since the new HVAC controls for humidity, I wondered if this would solve our vacation bathroom issues. IT DID!!! For the first time in over 2 years, we came home from vacation to toilets as sparkling white as the day we left them! So dorky to be excited about it, but we are very happy. :) And now I'm wondering if the new system might also help curb the mildew that pops up in our master shower within a week of scrubbing it.

So many perks to the new HVAC... who knew??? :)

Stay tuned for vacation pictures! And happy belated birthday to my WONDERFUL husband!!

DONE!

I'm alive, I promise. Just recovering from the baby shower and the end of the school year! :)

And now, trying to determine with Matt which contractor to use to replace our HVAC. Right about now, I wish I had a "choose your own adventure" book. It would be entitled The Amazing Air Conditioner Adventure. On about page 10 or so, it would give you the option of contractor 1 (turn to page 11), who installs a brand with the lesser reputation but the 99 year condenser warranty, 2 years of free servicing 2x/year, and proclaims to pull permits and have the municipal building inspector come inspect the finished job; or contractor 2 (turn to page 25), who quotes you on a superly efficient unit with a better reputation and seems more professional and thorough. I would read ahead and see how each contractor panned out, and then go back and make the right decision.

But, there's not an HVAC choose your own adventure book. I believe we are about to choose our own adventure indeed, don't get me wrong. I just hope the adventure is one we're pleased with in the end! Does anybody have a "best contractor" detecting device we could borrow?

Out of My Mind!

• 2 half days left with the kids (where has the time gone??)
• the kids did so well with our "picture pet show" today
• they were GREAT during the end of the year party and class awards ceremony
• I am officially (kinda sorta... it goes into effect the coming school year, but I have the contract!) tenured! Woo hoo! I am on "professional services contract" (i.e. tenure) as of the 08-09 school year! What a cool blessing! :)
• I am so out of my mind with end of school stuff that I cannot for the life of me find our tax refund check--great, huh? Thankfully, if I can't find it after some more hunting, the IRS is kind enough to issue a replacement check so we can still get our money back. Whew!
• I can't wait for next week when this year will be over and I can feel sane again (no wise-cracks about my sanity, please)! ;)
  

Bye, Bye, Beard

After 6 months of having facial insulation (a beard), Matt decided to shave it all off and return to his baby face. Instead of the "street cred" his beard usually affords us, we now BOTH look like high schoolers/undergrads. :) I love his beard, so it was a sad, sad day. But I love his sweet face all the same (even though it IS all scratchy now). I know it will be much cooler in the hot Florida summer, and he was ready for a little change. :) After seeing a shaving progression on another blog, Matt wanted to document each step of his beard's removal. Here are a couple shots for your viewing pleasure. :)

The "before"

an unflattering, "sad to see it go" picture

chops + a goatee

you might be a redneck if....

70s stache

there's the face of the man I love! (aka the "after")

**vote in the poll on the upper right part of the sidebar for your "favorite" (most silly) look! :) Poll closes June 2!

Nearest Book Meme

Joy posted about lines 6, 7, and 8 from page 123 of the book closest to her. Here's my response!

From Beth Moore's Praying God's Word Day by Day

Lord, if I allow truth to perish in my life and never return to it, I will be held in bondage the rest of my days.
Savior and Lord, You are my way. You are my truth.

You are supposed to pick 5 people to do it, but I'll tag E (Alice).... and/or anyone else. :)

Are you in that?

I know I should be in bed, but I just took a couple pictures of my latest sewing project and remembered a funny story from today.

We were watching a Brain Pop! video (educational, humorous cartoons) while the class ate some treats to celebrate a birthday (yes, an April Fool's birthday!). The birthday girl chose one on broken bones, and toward the end it talked about bones becoming more brittle and easily broken as people age. At one point it said something to the effect of, "Women are especially susceptible to broken bones due to osteoporosis," and mentioned something about that becoming more of a problem after menopause. One of the kids turned to me and said, "Mrs. K____, are YOU in that (menopause)?"

Wow. What do I even say to that? I just smiled, replied, "No," and wondered if the birthday girl's mom heard that question.

Gosh, I thought I'd been really fun lately, and I'm cold all the time, not hot.... Hmmmmm..... :)

Itchy Scratchy

I've been really itchy the past few days and trying to figure out why. At first I thought it was because our weather changed back to cooler, more dry air. Then I thought maybe it was post-FCAT skin disruptions (when I'm stressed it usually manifests itself after the fact with eczema or the skin on the palm side of my fingers bubbling and peeling--lovely, right?). But I think I finally figured out the true source this evening!

Last time I bought detergent, the store only had a new "concentrated" form of All available. I didn't really think anything of it other than, "Is this the scent I like?" and "Why can't they just ever leave things alone?!" I only recently used up my last bottle of "regular" All and had to switch to the new concentrated bottle. It completely coincides with me being reallllllly itchy and developing a rash on my legs (more lovely details for you!). Sounds like classic Guilford skin, doesn't it?

So, I guess if they only make All concentrated now, we try All free and clear. If that doesn't do it.... I don't know what to do! But All free and clear has been working for Brad (is that 2x concentrated now too, Joy? Is Brad still okay with it?) last I asked. Hopefully it will work for me too!

I'll keep you posted. ;)

P.S. Tomorrow we are going on a field trip.... (click to see their webpage)

From Kay

A little survey from Kay:

A) Four places I go over and over:
school, church, Trish's (friend who has 5 month old twins and her husband is in his first year of residency--I go help about 1x/week), Olivia's (tutoring)
B) Four people who email me: (Regularly):
Mom, Joy, facebook, school
C) Four of my favorite foods:
peanut butter, pasta, bread, milkshakes (especially Matt's)
D) Four places I would rather be right now:
Knoxville, Knoxville, Knoxville, Knoxville (ha!)
But seriously, Knoxville, the beach, the mountains, craft store
E) Four people I think will respond:
Erin, and other than that, Joy and Kay already did it, maybe Mom will do it and leave her answers as a comment ;)
F) Four movies I would watch over and over:
SOOO hard to narrow down to 4:
Father of the Bride, Father of the Bride II, Heidi, Little Women

Fun surprise

I was browsing my subscriptions' updates on Google Reader when I came across a sale announcement on Bargain Shopper Lady. Sale announcements are not unusual on her blog, but this one said all items were marked to $10 and decreased to $5 if you bought 2 or more items, with $5-6 shipping. I had never heard of the company (IOS), but had to check it out.

Look what I picked up for $5 a piece plus shipping (thank you, honey!)!

"Laura" sweater jacket, originally $89

"Infinity" Linen Circle-Dot Easy Crop Shirt, originally $68
(I think this looks perfect for an evening boat right when next we're home)

Is that a fun surprise, or what?!

Yes, Virginia...

...Matt & Becca DO have grass.

Errr, well, okay. Matt & Becca have grassy spots. :)

On Sunday we ate lunch on the lanai (which I cleaned on Saturday while Matt picked kumquats). Sitting out there and having the lanai all cleaned up made me wish the yard was cleaned up too. After lunch I decided to begin raking. You might think "palm tree" when you think Florida, and while we do have a palm tree, we live in the more northern part of Florida where you have plenty of pines and other coniferous and some deciduous tress as well. When I saw year yard nearly 2 years ago for the first time, it did not send the message "days' worth of raking and bagging leaves." Oh, but it does now. :)

While Matt picked more little orange fruits on Sunday afternoon, I raked and bagged 7 bags worth of leaves and pine needles. Seven. That might not sound like a lot to people with large lots, but in Florida? Small lot, palm tree Florida? I'm not kidding! And that was less than 1/2 the yard! I won't admit how long the leaves had been piling up (I don't know the last time I raked, but I DID mow last year.... does that count?) , but I had just had it. This afternoon I raked and bagged 5 more bags. The whole back yard (except for the little corner outside our window, which I left because it was dark/for comparison's sake in the photos/due to blisters, has been raked and bagged! On Sunday I also used the blower to get leaves off the driveway and to blow leaves off the yard and into the natural area in about 1/3 of the front. Whew!

Now onto pictures to prove this amazing feat! :)

Part of Sunday's bags

Looking to the right from the palm tree

I know it's blurry, but look! You can see GREEEEEEN grass!

More GREEEEEEN!!! :)

This is to compare... this is the side yard (and a crazy pooch) still covered in leaves. The whole yard used to look like this.

PLUS, I cut out as much of the seam allowance as possible in the thumb of the oven mitt and cut a slit in the wrist, and it's actually functional! I'm not going to give it as a gift, but right now it's on display on top of our fridge. It's a great hubby-swatter. :) Hehe

If you're tired of the cold, come visit! We are in bloom already!
(this one obviously "coming soon")

Lastly, we recently received this in the mail.
I already asked off for it, and I can't wait to come home in May! Not only will we be coming HOME, but we'll be come HOME to CELEBRATE and REJOICE in Ruthie getting hitched!
I can't wait, I can't wait! :)


Ooops... lastly (for real) you can never have too many Sammy pictures. :)

Kid Quotes

The third grade team at my school has "poetry tea parties" a couple times a year (usually 3 times) at which the students read poems they have selected or written and their parents are invited to come hear the poems, enjoy some "tea" and treats, etc. It's a fun time, and I love being able to recognize my students as authors and give them an opportunity to have the full attention of the rest of the class and several adults. It's a neat experience.

We all usually try to dress up for the poetry teas. As such, and because I had a little extra time that morning, I wore a *little* bit of make up. Normally, I do not wear any. I know, I know, I look like I'm 16 and it might help. But, I just don't... unless I remember it's picture day or there's some type of open house.

Anyway, so I had on the lightest, most subtle smidge of a brownish-gray eyeshadow on Friday for the tea party, and the thinnest line of eyeliner. No mascara, some foundation, that's it. I even did a sweep of eyeshadow the same tone as my skin over my eyelids at the end to make sure it was really subtle.

Well, the kids noticed. It was the talk of the day on Friday. "Did you see Mrs. K's eyes?" "She has on the eye goop." You would have thought I had on clown make up, seriously. Come on, now.

The best "line" came as I was filling tea cups at one table (with warmed apple juice):

"What's with the scary eyes?"

"Pardon me?"

"What's with the scary eyes?"

"What scary eyes?"

"Yours."

"What do you mean?"

"You have all that dark stuff on your eyes."

At that point I was starting to wonder if the lighting in our bathroom at home was way off and my make up wasn't as subtle as I thought. I checked in my room's bathroom after the tea party. Nope--hardly noticeable... unless you're 8 and your teacher NEVER wears make up.

Matt says if I look frustrated or upset, from now on he's going to say, "What's with the scary eyes?"

Fell off the face of the earth....

...wow. I didn't realize my last post was November 17!! Sorry for the long delay!

As a quick catch-up of sorts....

-Matt installed the crown molding and it looks wonderful. We have some things to fix here and there, being first time DIY-ers for such a big undertaking. For now, the room is getting back together and we'll revisit some of the "trouble" spots after New Year's. We want to enjoy it and get the house back in order for the holidays!

-We went to Melbourne, FL, for Thanksgiving and celebrated with Matt's parents, sister, uncle & aunt, and cousin (and his sister's friend who came over from Tampa). It was good to see everyone again! I think one of the highlights for me was being included in what is obviously a "Kubo thing." If you know Matt's dad, you know he LOVES hunting and FISHING in particular. Fishing will cure what ails you for him, I think. :) Most of us went fishing off a bridge over a cause-way in Melbourne. I haven't fished since we lived in Hollymead (preschool-2nd grade)... so let's round that to say 7 years old. That means I haven't fished in almost 20 years!! But... I caught 3 fish!!! They were all "fisherman's choice" (whatever that is). Matt's uncle said he thought it was in the carp family (?). All I know is, I'm an official Kubo or something now, because I went fishing and not only that, it wasn't abysmal! My personal favorite part of the fishing, much to the chagrin of the Real Fishermen, was the dolphin that danced around in the water and toyed with any fish that happened to take a bite and get caught on your line. On two occasions, the dolphin jumped out of the water and snatched the fish (hook, line, and sinker) right off the line in MID-AIR!!! And on many occasions it snatched the fish underwater before you could reel it in. I thought it was fabulously entertaining.... the Real Fishermen were probably wondering who brought the crazy, obviously-not-a-Real-Fisherman girl with them. :)

-We're back in the swing of things at school. Two and a half week to go until Christmas break (eek)!

-I lost a contact lens (rubbed my eyes, thought I just rubbed it off of "suctioning," but then couldn't find it when I went to go stick it back on). Went to the eye doctor to get new lenses and found out I have infections in both my eyes. My increased eye strain and ocular migraines might not just be stressed related--my eyes are apparently swollen and irritated enough (unbeknownst to me... I didn't notice anything) to completely change my prescription... by a lot. So now I get to use these stinging eye drops 3 times a day and go back on Friday. Moral of the story: when you get married and start staying up late on Fridays and falling asleep with your contacts in and nothing bad seems to happen so then you start working and being exhausted and think you're "getting away" with not taking your contacts out every night.... think again. Take them out! (I know, I know... taking your contacts out is a cardinal rule of contact lens wearing, I have learned my lesson).

-I have tried to add some Christmas cheer to the house. Pictures to come soon.

-Matt added some Christmas cheer himself today when he put up the Christmas tree we chose. A Douglas Fir won AGAIN this year! 3 in a row for us.... I named him "Big Boy" because Matt kept saying he wanted a tall tree, but he also wanted a Fraser, and I was trying to persuade him into the big Douglas that I found vs. the smaller Fraser I found (our top contender from each category). He now says he loves how big Big Boy is. :) It was his year to pick the tree (we alternate who has the final say.... we're both youngests, so we had to come up with a compromise). Pictures of Big Boy coming soon as well. The only sad thing.... we were wearing short sleeves while we looked, and I saw at least one person wearing a tank top and shorts.... that's just wrong. It's hard to feel Christmas-y down here sometimes! But we're trying!

-Matt is absolutely, positively in love with Sammy. It's the cutest thing. Today he was patting on her and made up a little ditty about, "Whoever said small dogs are no fun should be shot" (see, there's that hunting thing again :) ). You see, when I would show him dogs I liked, he always said, "No, we need a big dog. Small dogs are not fun." We showed HIM wrong, huh Sam? :) She will be making the trip north with us for Christmas. She is excited!

-Lastly, we bought Sammy's Christmas presents today. We just put a couple things in her stocking. I picked one toy, and Matt picked one toy. We took her with us to the store to test out what she would like. We found some winners!! I'm really excited about them. :)

-Now, I need to go work on my Super Duper Top Secret Handmade Christmas Present for Someone Special while Matt plays a little more Xbox. :)

We love you and can't wait to see everyone at Christmas!!! Three weeks, three weeks!!

P.S. Oh yeah, and I am DETERMINED that we really will go to WDW this year while it's decorated for Christmas.... Here's hoping!!

A Little Bit of This and That

Ariana posted this survey on her blog (visit her site to see her answers). I'm dilly-dallying while Matt installs new smoke detectors (Yea! They've only been in the closet for... well, months and months). So, here we go...

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?????
Yes, I was named after my mom's good friend (Rebecca) and my paternal grandmother and aunt (we three have the same middle name--Jennette)

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
Last night. :) The stress of the first week of school was over, and it all came out in some tears. It was a much needed release.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
Some of the time.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Hickory smoked turkey

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
Not yet... praying and counting down... but don't expect any news just yet. :)

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
I hope so!

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
Not really.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS
Yes.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
No way

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?

Hehe, for breakfast, I admit, probably Frosted Flakes (but I'm all for knock-off brand) or Lucky Charms. For snacking, Cheerios. :)

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?

I live in Florida... what are these things you must untie from your footwear? :) I wear flip-flops almost year round now.

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE MENTALLY STRONG?
I think I hold it together, but I'm also very thankful for the family, friends, and especially God to whom I can be vulnerable and be supported and encouraged.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?

Mint chocolate chip

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?

Probably whether or not they're smiling/demeanor?

15.RED OR PINK?

Red, but I'm learning to like pink. :)

16.WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?

Well, I can be pretty hard on myself with high expectations, and it can result in unfair expectations of others, too. I try to remember to treat others better than I treat myself, or to start giving myself some more grace!

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST

My family and friends. It's still achingly lonely around here sometimes... this week has been one of those times.

18.DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?

If they want to.

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS/dress/skirtAND SHOE S ARE YOU WEARING? ? ? ?

Blue jeans, bare feet.

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
I turned left over fixings into a soft taco for lunch.

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?

Matt has something on the tv in the background.

22. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?

Cerulean

23. FAVORITE SMELLS?

Babies after a bath, my husband's cologne

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?

Matt called last night to say he was on his way home from the event and bringing us dessert from Sonic. :) Yea and YUM!

25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?

Ariana is a loving wife and mother to my brother and my nephew. I am thankful for her in our family.

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
(some) Football or gymnastics.

27. HAIR COLOR?
Pretty much brownish. Some natural red highlights with all the sun down here!

28. EYE COLOR?
Blue

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?

Yes.

30. FAVORITE FOOD?

Probably anything carb. :) Bread, potatoes, and pasta being high on the list. OOo, and Chili's chips and salsa.

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Definitely happy endings. I really don't do scary (very well).

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?

Oh goodness! Hmmm... Watched one of the Bourne movies on tv the other night. In the theater, Matt sweetly went with me to see Ratatouille. :)

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE?YOU??WEARING?

Lime green CSPC VBS 2004 (Lava Lava Island)

34. SUMMER OR WINTER?

Winter between those. But Fall is my ABSOLUTE favorite (part of why we got married in October), and then spring is my second favorite. It seems fall down here lasts about a week. Matt and I long for fall sometimes... and this year we won't even get it at Thanksgiving as we're celebrating with Matt's family and relatives even further South than we!

35. HUGS OR KISSES?

They are both great, though kisses are a little more exclusive (M's the only person I've kissed). :) Well, you know, other than a "tucking in bed" goodnight for the likes of C, M, and I (when they were little).

36.FAVORITE DESSERT?

Brownie... alas, migraines.

37. OMITTED
38. OMITTED

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?

A Horse and His Boy, Love and Respect, several sewing books, just finished Miserly Moms, and going to start The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs with my class (which I read this summer). M is reading Wild at Heart and Peace Like a River (and Love and Respect with me).

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?

It looks like an oriental rug. I really like it. :)

41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT?
Not much. After dinner, Matt left for the event and I wanted to surprise him. So, I mowed the yard and raked up clippings from our massive hedge trimming last weekend. Then I came in and vacuumed basically the entire house. :) Then I read on the couch and waited for him.

42. FAVORITE SOUND?

"I love you" from M.

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?

Neither really...

44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?

Well, we've gone on vacation to Cali and Canada... and I lived in Europe for several years. :)

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?

I'm not exactly sure I would say "special talent," but I'm really enjoying developing my sewing, photography, and cooking skills. :)

46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?

Ulm, Germany

Random Discovery

There is a Hobby Lobby in Ocala!!! I am SOOO excited! I think we have somewhere to go next weekend. :) I am glad to find this out, because I was really bummed just a minute ago. I had all these great JoAnn's coupons that I just got the middle of this week, and they already expired!! I thought I would go use them this week since I'm finally done with my school and church work. But alas, they expired yesterday. :-( I am really sad about that. But, at least I can go to Hobby Lobby next weekend. :)

Unexpected

Today I tried to keep myself busy. It's rough when your two best friends are both gone! Thankfully, even though one had to leave today, the other's coming back to me. :) He should be landing in ATL any minute, actually. Then it's a short layover before his flight to Jax. Then a medium drive to get HOME.

To distract myself, I did some "to dos" around the house, and I took pictures of what Mom helped us accomplish during the week....

*Painted the trim above the tile back splash a true white. It was a beige, and the tile, trim, wall, and appliances (we inherited bisque appliances in this house..... which are definitely better than no appliances or poorly working contemporary colored appliances) all just blended together in a "blah." Now the wall, trim, and tile counters pop better. :)

*Painted the rest of the kitchen trim white! Eventually (when it cools off), we'll take down that door to the lanai, sand and prime it, and paint it white, too (we'll be replacing the rest of our doors with molded white doors over time as well).

*Used Barkeeper's friend to bleach/clean the other 2/3 of the kitchen grout I hadn't cleaned yet AND sealed it with 2 coats of sealer. Hopefully it will stay bright and clean a long time now!

*Added a second coat of white paint to the built-in china hutch and scraped the excess paint off the glass. :)

*Here's a view with the flash, so you can see how the white looks nice and clean against the walls.

While the paint stuff was out, I touched up our kitchen chairs today, and they look freshened up now that the puppy teething marks are painted over. ;)

Also, I stopped by Dollar Tree on my way home from a Kids Camp meeting to look for something Holli mentioned for Kids Camp (VBS). I didn't find what she told me about, but I DID find some great "teacher" stuff for $1 each!! I'd heard the dollar stores can have great teacher finds, but these were so cute and quite unexpected. All this for under $7!



We hope your weekend gets off to a great start!
MUCH love (and missing you!),
B