Pool Mooch Extraordinaire.

I should get business cards printed up with that on it!

I mean, really.  I found my way to pools this summer without spending a dime.  I love my friends for sharing!!

Here are some shots...

I started out in my yard in my beloved chair.  

 Then my friend Jaime's pool on the Potomac beckoned me...

 Then my friend Micah's pool was amazing...

My friend Kelly worked at a pool and she invited me to play, too...

Ironically, I don't have a picture of the pool where I spent the most time.  But that's probably a good thing because I used a code to get in that only residents of that pool are supposed to have.  

Top Secret information.  

And a sweet tan :)

So Long Sweet Summer (again?!)

I can't believe another one is gone.   And I barely blogged at all.  I'm sorry!   I was thinking today about why I didn't blog as much this summer as I did last summer... and I think it's because I've been on Facebook a lot more.

So, to celebrate the end of summer, how about an end-of-summer phone dump?  And I'll insert explanations where necessary and you'll be all caught up and then I can get to the random thoughts I've had this summer.

Packing up the trailer room for the Last Time!  Heading into the building... (this was taken on the last day of school)

 I drank this on the last day of school...

 My Pup came to visit and he always has better taste in music than I do, so I asked him to make me some mixes.  Love him.

 For many days this summer, I got up and went to a pool.  (Post on that coming)  But I took this picture of myself one day for no reason and then I ended up kind of liking it because it was different.

 The cutest fluffiest dog in the world before she got a terrible haircut.

 The sweetest smiling face.

 To celebrate the release of the last Harry Potter movie, my friend made this onesie for her sweet baby girl.  If you know Harry Potter,  you'll giggle :)

 ???????  DONG BARBER ??????  

I got DOWN on some crabs at this beautiful place right on the Potomac.

I made a trip to Massachusetts in the middle of the summer for some Responsive Classroom training.  The trip was amazing.  We went to the Yankee Candle flagship store (it's HUGE).  I saw these candles.  They made me laugh.

Even doors need to watch out, sometimes...

I was grateful enough to go on a beautiful boat ride one evening...

 Lincoln from the water! 

Made a trip to IKEA one day... loved this lady enjoying Mary Poppins in the privacy of her own living room...

Helping my friend Kelly look for a full-length mirror was fun and egotistical. 

Pheebs did some light reading this summer.

Nats/Mets game.  Of course I wore my Red Sox hat.  No one yelled at me like the Phillies game.

At least you know this place is good...

 More reasons why Justin Timberlake is my soulmate...

 It was so hard to get out of bed some summer morning when this was the face that stayed snuggling...

Uh oh.  Look what they are building in the shopping center next to my house.  TROUBLE.

The world's sweetest legs on a walk around my neighborhood.

It was a good summer!    Now for some more specific posts...

Coming Soon...

This book is outstanding.  And I'm rereading it this summer and it's changing my thinking about a lot of things.

Coming soon... the blog may be shifting a little to a focus on my being a well-balanced teacher.

Coming sooner (yes, I know that's not a word)... what I've done in August.  It's been a blog-free month!

I'll be back in the swing of things soon.  

Um, hello July.

Hey!

It's the mysterious monthly blogger!    Just kidding.  I've been starting my summer!

The last week in June, I mostly just slept, played, recovered from the school year and studied for my Math final (which I, nerdily enough, got a 99 on!!).   So, I officially passed the math course.

The week before the 4th of July was spent preparing for my trip to Deep Creek Lake with some amazing friends.  We were there Friday the 1st until Tuesday the 5th and every part of it was wonderful.  Some people are just meant to be on the water.  I am one of those people. Here are some pics:

Some ladies and I went on a hike to Swallow Falls.

 Kristin and I didn't know what to do with our hands...

 Jaime and I did!

 Listened to some good tunes...

 Saw some beautiful firework displays by the men of our group...

 I made a cake!

 This is Jaime's parents' backyard...

 The strongest woman in the world...

 Gets some liquid courage and back dives off the boat...

 Waving a friendly boatersby...

Since then, I've been spending my time continuing to work on my tan and studying for the Oceanography final that I'm taking TOMORROW MORNING.  Once that is over, I hope I'll feel like my life is my own again!!

Happy Summer!

Summertime is here again...

Well, not surprisingly, June flew by.  With 7 college credits, packing up a classroom and the bits and pieces that constitute the end of a year, I feel like I blinked and June is almost over.

But you know what is actually over?   The 2010-2011 school year.   And boy was it a good one.  I love those little faces so much.   I CAN'T WAIT to be their teacher next year!!   Making the decision to loop up to 4th grade with the exact same class makes me really excited for September.

That being said, I AM SO GLAD IT'S SUMMER TIME!!!  I need a break!  I need some naps!  I need some playtime!   I need to do my college work and finish those classes so I can relax my mind and be ready for a new year.

Last summer, I made a giant To-Do list.  And I accomplished most of it.   Today, after last night's big playtime and a huge nap, I tried to make a To-Do list for this summer.

Here it is so far:

Yup.   I'm not ready to have responsibilities yet.  I'll try again tomorrow...

Randoms, also Hello June

1.  Tonight I brushed my teeth with my left hand.   I'm right handed.  It felt weird but I think I'm going to do it until it doesn't feel weird anymore.   No, I don't know why.

2.  This evening I thought for a LONG time about who should get their hair cut first:  Me or Phebe.  I still haven't figured out who'll be first.

3. Tomorrow we finish SOL testing!!   And I am telling my students the "Big News".  Reaction tomorrow.

4. My math class is kind of crazy but I also like it.  Weird, right?   Let's not talk about the science one. I'm in a good mood.

5. I downloaded "iBooks" on my phone and bought some books to read off my phone.   I read all of Water for Elephants (pretty good-- didn't WOW me like it did everyone else but I think that's because too much of it made me sad and scared to age!) and now I'm reading The Help. I LOVE The Help so far.  It's awesome and it's really nice to read it on my phone as I'm falling asleep.    Part of me thinks reading a book on the smartphone is Too Technological but another part of me thinks I saved a tree and my phone is a lot easier to carry around.  I think both parts are right.

6. 13 and a half days of school left.   But who's counting?

7. I deep cleaned my room yesterday, GROTSing a lot of stuff.  GROTS is a term my mom made up:  Get Rid Of The Sh**.   Feels nice.

8.  To save some money, I lowered my phone plan.  I guess I didn't realize how much I actually talked on the phone (hello, Savannah and West Virginia and mom?  I'm dumb) because I am near my limit of minutes and the new cycle doesn't start until June 7!!    I am going to try one more month like this and then most likely switch back to my old plan.

9. Most days I have at least 13 Words With Friends games waiting to be played.  Most days I catch up.   Some days I do not and it's ok.

10. My dog chewed my underwear today.  It was the first time in 2 years.  I'm not happy and I hope this trend doesn't continue.  Yes, they were in my hamper.  Yes, she scaled its two foot walls.  Yes, it's kinda gross.  I don't like that dogs do that.

Happy June.  Summer is on the horizon, I can see it...

Summer Randoms

So, there were a lot of random pictures from this summer... here's a little taste.

My new tat:

A proactiv vending machine in a mall.

Best cashier ever.

Happy times on the camping/tubing trip.

Lou and I can make fires.

And be mermaids.

All of us, in some way or another, are trying to hide our bikini-ed bodies from the camera. Watch. And Kristin's face is priceless.

The World's Longest Barbie California Girl Uno Game.

Because someone didn't have ANY blues.

Johnny's and my head shot. We are going to be famous models one day. You'll see.

Girls and sports.

My favorite beer vendor at Nats park.

The guy I got into a fight with and chest bumped him in anger because he smacked Kate's ass when she walked past him. I know. It was gross.

William really did love this picture. He's making FakeMadFace.

Sometimes I let strangers play guitar on my leg.

Ummmm.....

Friends :)

A small family of sorts enjoying the fourth of July.

Kate gave me this necklace for my birthday. I like it. I'm a teacher and I hope to...

What a great summer...