Beyond Excited!

I have a feeling today is going to be the longest day ever! Aaron and I leave for New York tonight! Our flight isn't until midnight but we are leaving right after school to get to Seattle in time. The Weather Network says that it is supposed to be sunny the whole week in New York. I was so worried that the baseball games would get rained out and that is the main reason for the trip. I think Aaron is really excited too. I am going to try really hard not to get too tense at the airport. I always get a little bitchy at airports, I think it is the stress of traveling and making sure everything works out.

We had a busy weekend getting ready to go. The jungle of a lawn in the backyard had to be cut, the garden had to be weeded, and we had to put out all of the spring cleaning garbage. Spring Clean-up is so funny. The scavengers always take most of it before the town even comes around to pick it up.

Aaron's parents are here right now to take care of Arden for the week. She is having a great time building blocks with Grandpa and going to the park. Mom always brings a bag of gifts that Arden gets to choose from each day - how fun is that?!

It is really starting to feel like school is winding down for another year. It has been really hot the past couple of days so the kids are starting to get that summer feel. It is amazing how everyone perks up when the sun comes out. We are all wearing brighter clothes and everyone seems a little nicer.

Happy Friday!

Yeah!!!! Today is Friday. So far it hasn't been such a bad day. The weather is a little miserable - rainy, windy, stormy - but it keeps the kids focused on school. Good weather too early in the spring is the kiss of death for high schools. Kids 'check out" early as soon as the sun begins to shine on a regular basis.

I decided yesterday that Thursdays are my favourite day of the week. Not the normal "favourite day" kind of day but I really like Thursdays. It could have something to do with good television - Survivor, CSI, Commander in Chief - or it could be that the next day is Friday so it makes me feel happy. Whatever it is, I like Thursdays.

I think I am also addicted to the exclamation point! I tend to use it a lot when writing, especially here or on message boards. When I am excited about something, I really use it!

Today was the final of our Dodgeball Tournament. It went really well. There were lots of kids in the gym watching and the teams seemed to enjoy themselves. The winners liked that they got t-shirts. I am so proud of my first year Leadership students who organized this event. They really did a good job! Sometimes letting them organize something without the older students is less intimidating and they are free to express their ideas.

Off to Chilliwack after school today. Arden needs new "dancing shoes" - her name for dress shoes. And she needs sandals. I would also like to get a few things for the travel journal/scrapbook I am going to do during our trip to New York. I am going to take some supplies with me and do the pages each evening using staples, etc. I don't think I will include photos in this. If it works out then I will create the same thing for myself and my four students before we go to England and Scotland. I read about Ali Edwards doing this and it looked like it would work if you had it set up before you went on the trip. I also want to find an outfit to wear to the theatre in New York. Arden and I will probably hit White Spot as well for dinner as Aaron is not a fan so Arden and I go when he isn't with us.

New York state of mind!

Aaron and I are off to New York next week. To say I'm excited would be an understatement.

It is Aaron's 40th birthday in June and I wanted to do something really special for him. He (and I) don't need any more "stuff" so I thought a trip would be the right choice. Last year I gave him 2 options - although there really was only one obvious choice. I asked him if he would like to go to Whistler for a weekend with 3 buddies for a golfing trip or if he would like to go to New York with me to see the Yankees. He chose the Yankees - which really, I knew he would! I also later found out that this is the last season for the Yankees at Yankee Stadium so it is even better that we are going this year. We are going to see 2 games - vs. Tampa Bay and vs. the Blue Jays. We are also going to see Rent. We are going to be typical tourists as well and go to the Statue of Liberty, the Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building, and I'm sure there will be a bit of shopping thrown in as well. I would like to do a carriage ride through Central Park but I'm not sure that is high on Aaron's list of priorities - LOL!

This is a big travel year for me as I am taking students to England and Scotland in July. There are only 4 students going with me and they are great kids so I think it will a wonderful trip. It is through EF, an educational tour company so everything is planned for us. I am really looking forward to the Scotland part of the trip as I have never been there. It will be great to visit some of the places I talk about when teaching Macbeth every year.

Me!

I guess I should show who I am. This is one of the only photos of me that I really like!

April 19, 2006

Well, I have officially jumped on the blog bandwagon. I have never been much of a journaler but always wished I was so perhaps this will be the answer.

Today is my Grandma's 85th birthday. It feels like a big deal because she is all I have left since my mom died last year and my other grandma died at Christmas in 2004. Grandma doesn't have any short term memory but she always knows who I am when I visit so that is all that really matters. I took her a plant with pretty pink flowers.

Arden starts swimming lessons again today. She is having private lessons this time as we would really like her to be able to swim before summer rolls around. She loves the water and Avard will be her instructor and she LOVES! him.

My scrapbooking room is starting to take shape. I am so excited! It will be awesome once it is done. Colin and Bill came and did the drywall this weekend and are coming back on Saturday to sand and mud again. Once that is done it will be time to paint! I think I am going to do the walls a blue colour but quite strong. I really want the room to pop! We are going to put laminate flooring in as well. After the paint and flooring it will be off to Hope Depot or Ikea to see about counters and cupboards. I really am inspired to scrapbook right now and it is a pain in the butt not having the space to do it.



Scrapbooking is my passion! I am constantly thinking about it. I wish I could open a scrapbook store and spend my life being more creative. I love it that much. At least I get to do a bit at school but it is not enough.

Aaron and I are off to New York next week. We are going to celebrate his 40th birthday! Man that sounds old! We are going to see two Yankees games and Rent on Broadway. I am too excited for words. Hopefully the weather will cooperate.

Not bad for a first post. I think I can get into this blogging thing!

Remember, "Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm!" Ralph Waldo Emerson