I'm a Hot Mess*

*Sorry Melisa...I couldn't think of any other way to put it. I'm not trying to be you or to skin you and wear you like last year's Versace or anything equally weird. It's just been a very stressful, emotional few weeks.

As you may or may not know, I received a RIF notice (along with every other teaching assistant in the district, as well as a number of teachers.) After 11 years of working there, 10 at my current position working with the same person, completing one another's sentences, having mutual respect for one another, yadda yadda yadda....it's over. Well, it will be at 8:30 this morning after report cards are handed out.

After 24 years, our custodian retires next month. My friend and coworker Cheryl and I planned a retirement party for him, which we had last night. It was lovely, and I really think he appreciated it. It was good to see our little school family together again (even though as the 'cruise director' for our school family, I organize get-togethers at least once a month...once a week in the summers.)

Last weekend, our oldest and dearest friends' son graduated from high school. We went up to his graduation open house and hung out with family members who have become like family to us over the years.

Today, my father-in-law is coming to stay with us because my precious nephew, who used to run around my house in his spider man costume, is graduating high school and his luau is this weekend.

Nick has been home for a week...he leaves tomorrow for camp school in Northern Wisconsin and then will be gone the entire summer because he works at summer camp.

I'm a mess. I'm thinking that next week, when Scott is at work and my father-in-law returns home and Nick is gone and the house is empty....I'll just crash.

Until then....I have to keep on keeping on.

And maybe for my next gig, I should just become a cruise director and get paid for it! ;)

He's Home!

....But don't blink or you'll miss him. He's only home until Friday, then he's gone for the summer.....to do that thing called work. It's a good thing he loves his summer job!

In the meantime, The Man and I will have to pack in all the visiting with him that we can. Then, it's back to the empty nest.

We do have a lot going on in the next week, though. The Man's dad is coming to stay with us because our nephew is graduating high school. My brother-in-law and sister-in-law are having a luau in his honor, so that should be fun.

So...what am I doing online? I have a mountain of laundry to do and a house to clean. See you on the other side!

Linky Love

I've been pretty busy the past week. I'll post an update soon. In the meantime, I'd like to leave you with a list of the blogs I enjoy reading....

Suburban Scrawl

My Ever Changing Moods

House of Jules

The Peculiar Homemaker

The Pioneer Woman

The Chocoholic and A Duke Fan

One Step at a Time

Steps of Faith

Enjoy! :)

SHUT UP!!!

My good friend Melisa with one s was just nominated by Nickelodeon Parents Connect Parents' Choice for Best Parenting Blog! If you want to help her out, you can hop on over to the Nickelodeon Parents Connect page, register and nominate her.

I'm so proud of you, Melisa! You GO girl! Way to get 'er done! ;)

Happy Mother's Day!

I want to take time to wish my mom, mother-in-law (aka my 'other mother'), along with all of my friends who are mothers.....a wonderful Mother's Day!

And now....the reason *I* a mom.....

Lucky Girl

I received a care package in the mail on Friday from my lovely mom. When we were in Amish country in OH, we went a bit crazy in the fabric stores. I don't sew (much), but I fell in love with the material! She made these placemats for our table:



They are reversible. I wanted something funky and bright to go with my Fiestaware. I think they look great with my Fiesta vase...



She also sent a bunch of cloth napkins from the material that I chose from both the store and her stash.



Here are my favorites:





I'm a lucky girl indeed! Thanks, Mom!

Ramblings....

There is a cat living on our deck. He was quite comfy in the leaf pile in the back corner of the lower deck. I took care of the situation when I cleared the leaves from the decks. Maybe that's why Dutch was afraid to go outside?

I googled 'Dawndi'. Yeah....lots of porn stars with that name. I promise you, I'm not one of them! LOL

We're grilling today....yummy burgers and hot dogs with my macaroni salad on the side. Not sure what else to have....I need another side and a dessert since there will be people here!

I've lost 20 pounds! Only 10 til goal (I think...I was a 'bad' girl the past couple of weeks and haven't weighed in...why torture myself, right?)

Our class reunion is going to be THREE days of fun fun fun! That means THREE new outfits complete with shoes! :) Afterwards, we are headed down to Chincoteague, VA to visit The Man's mom and her husband. Can't wait! We decided not to go on our 'adventure' vacation this year since I'm laid off for next school year.

I'm going to get The Boy this month, but while I'm gone I'm going to get to visit with a dear friend. CAN'T WAIT! How did his first year of college go so darned fast? Insane!

I watch Real Housewives of New York (well...I watch all of the Real Housewives shows). Talk about a train wreck...but I love every minute of it! But really? Those 'women' act like they are stuck in junior high! They ALL need to get a hobby! ;) Wait! Maybe *I* need to get a hobby? NAH

I wish I could speak frankly to the remaining players on Survivor to warn them of the evilness of Russell. However, I could care less at this point who wins. I was rooting for Boston Rob or J.T. to take it all, but Rob got ambushed and J.T. made the stupidest move in Survivor history. I like to watch Ponderosa online. They seem to have a lot of fun after they get voted off!

We rented Up in the Air last night from DirecTV. We both really enjoyed that movie!

I need to spend less time watching tv and more time reading my book club books!