I'm Back...

I'm back! Quite literally - just flew in yesterday afternoon. The last time I posted, I informed you all I was on a break & now I will explain why. The week of March 18th we had parent/teacher conferences at school, which meant I worked from 8 am - 8 pm two days that week so I could have Friday off to prepare for Spring Break!! With all of that working, I knew I would not be a faithful blogger.

Last Saturday, March 24th we got on a plane & left for Disneyland & The Price Is Right! Tim had been planning this since last May as an early birthday celebration for my 30th birthday coming up in August. We met my cousin Stacie & her husband & one of my dearest friends Erin & her husband. On Sunday, Monday, & Tuesday we visited Disneyland & California Adventure. Then, Wednesday we braved the line for The Price Is Right (more on that adventure later...). Thursday, Erin & Shawn, Stacie & Dwayne, had to leave - so Tim & I went back to Disneyland & California Adventure on our own & enjoyed the parks one last time. Yesterday, our fun-filled vacation came to an end & today I'm spending in recovery. :) I cleaned the house last night so all that's left today is to do laundry & go grocery shopping.

I will leave some pictures with you & will post more later, including the Price Is Right story...

Our first day in Disneyland

Erin, Jessie, & Stacie waiting in line at Pirates (our first ride).

Group Photo!!

I'm On A Break...

So after 7 months of faithfully blogging, I'm taking a self declared break. I will be back to the blogging world in a couple of weeks - & I'll be sure to fill you in on all of the exciting details. Don't give up on me, I'll be back!! :)

Hooray For New Flowers!

Spring has sprung in Oregon. I have 'a' daffodil in my front yard blooming. I have the promise of more as they are peeking their little stalks out of the ground.

My mom was here visiting this weekend (long story) & yesterday while I was at school, she went & bought me some Primroses. She bought me 7 different colors, so today when I got home I planted them. They are so happy & cheery!!

Front flowerbed before:

Front flowerbed after:

I think it looks better in person than it does in the photos. :) Thank you mom for the beautiful new flowers! Happy spring...

Final Photos...

Here are the before & after photos of our new floors. They aren't really in order - but all carpet was removed from the hallways & dining room & the living room got fresh new soft carpet. Love it!! I'm so happy it's done - it was 5 days of craziness at our house. We were in charge of moving furniture & taking off, painting, & replacing baseboards - we hired the rest of the work out to be done, thank goodness!

Look What We Did...

This week we replaced 75% of the floors in our home. We took out all of the carpet from the hallways, dining room, & living room. We replaced the hallways & dining room with laminate hardwood floors & the living room with a cut-loop Burber. Here is a look at our journey this week (notice the piano in my kitchen - it's still there as I type...).

All new floors are in. We are now just waiting for the final seal of the hardwood & then we can replace the baseboards that Tim painted tonight. When all of the furniture is put back into the dining room, I will present you with photos of the 'final finish'. Stay tuned!

They're here...

The recorders that is...This weekend I did a full load of recorders in the top rack of my dishwasher. Today, I did round two. Hopefully this will be the end, as I will continue to disinfect in my room at school using bleach water. I like to give the recorders a fresh start each year and run them through the dishwasher first, then handwash for the rest of the unit.

I began recorders today with one 5th grade class. They were THRILLED. They did okay - not the best sound, but they remembered a lot from last year, so I'm hoping that it only gets better from here. :) If anyone is in the mood for a little recorder music, come on by!

Sunday morning I awoke with a severe sore throat. As the day wore on, it got better. Monday morning - same story. Today when I woke up, it wasn't as bad & got better throughout the day. After 2 days of singing & playing song games with 8 classes a day, & a 2 1/2 hour Messiah rehearsal last night, my voice was a little tired. Tim called tonight around 6:00 to say he was on his way home & when I answered the phone, I had no voice. For the rest of tonight, I've tried to be quiet (so hard for me) but the voice still seems to be away. Yikes! I had planned on teaching 2 new songs tomorrow by rote (I sing, the kids echo) so...I might need to adjust some lesson plans. It's going to be a quiet night around here...

Maybe we'll just play recorders all day tomorrow - heaven help me.

Sunshine!

This weekend began with cold rain. By Sunday, however, it was a balmy 64 degrees and sunny!! I love the sunshine. So do my new flowers. The Crocus' are in full bloom with Tulip and Daffodils getting ready to pop - I can't wait!! Here are some photos from our front yard this afternoon...

Weekend wrap: On Friday night (wow that seems like a long time ago!) we went to our good friends' Tom & Mary's house. They have been away on vacation, so it was great to see them & catch up.

Saturday Nicole came over & we trekked to Portland. Our first stop was in the Hollywood Dist. meeting Laura, the girls, & Mark at a theatre for the Veggie Tales movie 'Moe and the Big Exit'. It was a very cute movie & the girls LOVED it. Very fun. Then we dropped the girls off to meet Grandma & Grandpa who were going to take them overnight. Laura, Nicole, & I had lunch, went to the beauty supply, visited one of Laura's friends, and went back to Laura's house for brow waxing & nails. What a day filled with girlish fun!! Nicole & I left in the early evening & met up with Tim for dinner. It was a wonderful day filled with lots of love, laughing, and froofy pleasure. :) Saturday night, I got down to business. I cleaned (and I mean CLEANED) our house. I did the jobs this weekend that I normally put off: cleaning the showers, wiping out cabinet drawers, cat boxes, cleaned the oven (inside & out), toilets, both bathrooms, changed sheets, etc., etc. Whew! I was ready for bed!!

Sunday Tim surprised me with breakfast in bed. He got up early & made homemade pancakes with fresh real maple syrup. It was a perfect beginning to our day. This afternoon we picked up our new floors that are going to be installed this week - so excited for that!! We also did some grocery shopping, I finished the book I was reading, and took a nap. Laundry has also been in process all day, woo-hoo!

This upcoming week promises to be busy, I'm looking forward to some more relaxation time this evening before the work week begins again tomorrow. Hope your weekend was fabulous!