What I did over my summer vacation

I've been in denial about school starting again. Not that I don't like school and having a schedule again but it seems like Summer just got here. It was a cold Spring and I was busy with this 

and this

and I'm not really ready for this

followed by this..

BUT in an effort to embrace carpools, packing lunches, and getting up at 6:15 AM.

 I will share with you a few things I have done to my house this Summer.

Starting with something small:

Not the greatest picture I know but it's all I have.

Notice the countertops, 24 year old formica, scratched, cracked in places with wood trimmed edges.  What you can't see is the 24 year old porcelain sink which has long lost it's luster and stain fighting abilities, rimmed with a stainless steel crown, equally aged and tarnished...

Mark has offered to replace these with granite but I'm holding out...

At some point I would like to reconfigure the kitchen a little and replace the tile floor.

So I'll be patient... but still there has to be some way to fix it up without spending $$$.


A google search turned up Giani Countertop paint.
It was reasonable and worth a try. I experimented first in the bathroom in the basement with mixed reviews and decided to try a different color in the kitchen. I also discovered that putting the paint on a little thicker allowed the colors to blend and make a really cool "stone like" texture.
(I realize that any geologist would quickly know it is a faux finish but to the layman it looks pretty good)

I also got a new sink and faucet...

And painted the basement door RED... just for fun.

A prosperous time of life

Tuesday Rob moved out.

Tuesday I held my first Kindermusik practicum class. 

Wednesday Christian moved out.

Wednesday Jennifer started her sophomore year of high school.

Wednesday Mark attended the first day of "back to school" meetings.

Mark got back from a trip to New Jersey at about 10:45pm on Tuesday night. It was late and we enjoyed some time to get caught up. It was quite late when I got to sleep. Wednesday morning my alarm went off at 6:15..."Really,.... 6:15... I don't think I got up this early last year and it worked fine". I hit my snooze... just 5 more minutes. (I NEVER do that) Next thing I knew there was a knock at the door and Jenn whispered..." are we still having scripture study at 6:45?" I bolted out of bed, yes.... yes... of course..... be right down. I buzzed around in my nightgown packing her lunch. She sat down and ate while Mark began reading. Her ride came early but she was ready.

(wish I had some pictures, sorry)

I sat down and hoped this is not a sign of things to come.

Mark had a day full of meetings (so much fun!). I came home from aerobics to Christian all packed up and ready to move into Heritage Halls. He did let me shower, which I greatly appreciate. When we unloaded the last of his stuff it was lunch time. Robbie texted me to let me know his first day of classes went well. We decided to meet at Panda Express and have lunch. (Love the mushroom chicken)

"This is a prosperous time of life for you"

I'm not one to take fortunes that you get in cookies very seriously but when I read this in mine, I felt a great sense of peace and comfort. Silly I know, it could have easily applied to either of the boys and been just as fitting. But somehow it felt like it was just for me. I know "prosperous" is often viewed in terms of making money, but with so many changes in my life right now it felt more like being able to grow and embrace the changes and find success. A vote of confidence.

(fortunes found in cookies are subject to the consumer's own interpretation)

So I will end with a fortune for you:

"Live long and prosper"

I'll be doing some catching up too.

Flash Back Friday: School

This Tuesday will mark my last day of class.

While I probably will go back and take classes for fun from time to time (It is free and I love to learn)... and maybe someday I will decide to get a graduate degree. This Tuesday will mark the last day of class for my Bachelors.

I was thinking back to my first day.
Nine years ago.
(yeah, I know)

I really didn't want to stick out as an old lady with kids in High School.
I got a cool back pack, chose a "not someone's mother outfit".

Actually, because I was a sophomore, (with low registration priority) I didn't get the instructor I wanted - so I registered for a MWF class and planned to add a TTh in it's place (taught by a different professor). I figured out where my class was and was ready to go. Tuesday morning came.

Only I didn't count on parking being a problem.

I was late.
I practically ran across campus to get there only to find the classroom full. I tried to calm my breathing as I looked for a place to sit. Then I spied it. Second row from the front and I had to climb over 5 people. More people were trying to squish into the classroom, hoping as I was to add the class. So I walked/climbed to the available seat. As I sat down I felt a trickle of sweat run down my cheek just in front of my ear.
(very subtle, I know)

Five minutes into class the teacher announced that the only way to add the class was to do it online and the only way we could do that is if someone dropped. She then asked how many were officially registered. Lots of hands went up. She asked if any were intending to drop. No movement. She asked how many were hoping to add. Tons of hands, including mine went up.

She told us that it was most likely that only a few would get in if any at all. Students began filing out the back. I wiped my cheek on my shoulder feeling defeated, gathered my things and stood up to leave when she stopped talking and asked me where I was going.

(So much for not sticking out.)

I stammered something about needing to add as another drop of sweat coursed down my face. She said that I should just sit and enjoy todays' class.

Who was I to argue.

I sat down. I never did get in to that class...
Wednesday when I attended the class I was registered for, I found out to my horror that I had already missed the first day of class (on Monday).

I really wondered if going back to school was the best idea.
But it was something I really wanted to do. It was important to me.
And I knew that if I just kept chipping away, someday I would graduate.

I guess I was right... someday is two weeks away.

I should be....

Studying

I don't know what my problem is.

I should just bite the bullet and get it over with.

One month and I will be done... all done... possibly never reviewing at the bottom of the stairs before I enter the testing center again...

Why am I so easily distracted this week?

Why do I worry that I won't know what to do with myself when I graduate when I have more to do right now than I can ever get done (even when I neglect my studies)?

Why do I sometimes entertain the thought that I should just take the stupid test right now .... rationalizing that as long as I pass no one cares!

The truth is I do care.

And as much as I love to goof around with Jennifer, play with Ruby, do laundry, clean the kitchen, put together the perfect outfit, blog, read other peoples blogs, check out facebook and discover the secrets of Bajio's green enchilada sauce I would enjoy all those things more if this test was behind me.

Back to the books.

PS. I will post the recipe for the green sauce later - It's awesome!