Done with diets!

Declaring this to no one in particular except myself.

I am DONE with diets!

I have spent the last 8 years trying to lose last of the "baby" weight. Yes, my baby is eight. Off and on, I have done SparkPeople, gone vegan (plant-based, I guess since I don't have the mindset of a true vegan), Fast Metabolism Diet, "detox," and the basics of counting calories. I've given up gluten, meat, sugar, alcohol, and dairy.

I've lost/gained up to 10 pounds on and off for the past 8 years.

I've cooked separate meals for myself.

I've not enjoyed food with my family.

I've obsessed and spent countless hours on the internet and reading books about healthy eating.

I've felt guilty eating just about everything.

I'm DONE!!

I just want to eat and enjoy living without guilt.

I want to eat with my family and go out for special treats with my family.

I want to focus on other things besides food.

Now, not going crazy here. I still am against highly processed foods. They don't hold a place in my diet, but I will eat FOOD. Good, normal food. Cream in my coffee, fruits, vegetables, good, ethically raised meats (when possible), and homemade sweet treats. Now, I'm sure the guilt over eating things I "shouldn't" eat will take a while to get over, but I am committed. I also want to be strong, so I am committed to exercising 3 times a week at the Y.

I really hope that this marks a new, free, and healthier lifestyle for me. Wish me luck.

Love, me

A New Chapter

The Lueck family will soon be entering into a new life phase. Tanner is 10, Max is 8, and we may be adding a new member (or two) to our family this summer. NO! I am not pregnant! Danny and I just attended our first foster parent meeting last week.

I have wanted to be a foster parent for several years. It has weighed on my heart weekly, since before Tanner was born. I have been saying for years that as soon as my kids were both in school, I would look into it. Well, that time came and went, and I went from part-time to full-time, and life got busy. I didn't think I could give enough time or energy to kids who really need it with the schedule I currently have.

It looks as if my district is finally considering letting me go part-time again to make this possible. A month ago, though, I decided that even if I was full-time, we surely could take on some elementary age kids. Tricia Murphy had a great message that week in church about just taking that step. The time is now! I am so excited and Danny is a little more tentative but he's on board, too.

I know that it will be challenging. I've heard enough "horror stories" from well-meaning? acquaintances, but have also had some encouragement that felt really great. Know that I can't post any details or pictures on social media. This will not and cannot become a "foster care blog." I honestly don't get how the people who have those blogs get away with some of the things they share.

Anyway, feel free to send some prayers our way. We've got a mountain of paperwork to do, and fingerprints, background checks, home studies, and I can see why it is necessary. We may be ready as early as this summer to welcome some new additions to our family.

I am blessed and so thankful for this opportunity! Thanks in advance for your prayers and thoughts.

Love,

me

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly - Meet Riley

We have a new family member. Her name is Riley. We adopted her from Affinity Rescue in Pardeeville, WI. She is between 10-12 months old and is a boxer, bulldog, who knows? mix.

The good: This dog is so so sweet. She is mostly very calm, loves to be petted and cuddled. She thinks she's a lap dog, which I love (but some may not appreciate). She does not jump on people and rarely barks. She also gets "the zooms" and runs around the back yard like a super beast, and loves to chase/fetch tennis balls. She gets along with dogs, too. The boys and I have been wanting a dog for a while, and I think we picked the right girl for our family. If you like dogs at all, you can't help but like her.

naughty, naughty

The bad:

Not much bad here. She has to learn not to go on the couch. She sheds a bit. She snores. She also does not chew her food. She inhales it and then chokes. She was a stray, so I'm guessing that she has to learn that she will always have food here before she slows down. She is a puppy so she tends to chew stuffed animals if she can get them. As a result, our floor is finally free of stuffed animals. Yay! She also chewed a couple teethmarks in Max's DSi. Yep, a lot less toys laying out around the Lueck house.

Pet me, please?

The ugly: Well, she does have a look. If you look at her from the side, she looks pretty normal. But straight on, and you get the super bulgy eyes, one looking a bit off to the side. She also has an underbite. A neighbor boy said, (in a cutesy voice), "Oh, you're so cute. What chubby eyes you have." I love that! I've been showing her picture to my students, and I've noticed that the younger the student, the cuter they think she is. Older students and adults don't always think she's so cute. In fact, Danny says she's the ugliest dog he's ever seen.

She's definitely found her way into my heart, and I'm so glad to have her. 

My Wish for the New School Year

I love the start of school. It doesn't matter that summer was awesome and I wish I had more of it. It doesn't matter that I love hanging in my pajamas into all hours of the morning (and sometimes afternoon). It doesn't matter that I am addicted to a cup of coffee while watching the Today Show.

I love the start of a new school year! The hope and promise of a new year is always a thrill for me. New relationships, rekindling old relationships, trying something new, a fresh start; these are all phrases that come to mind.

Most importantly, though, I have a goal for my music classroom: I want my students to experience the love from me that I have received unconditionally from Jesus. I want this at the start of every school year. For ALL my students. Even the ones that can wear you down. Even the ones that are tough. Even the ones who won't participate. Even the ones who are quiet. Even the ones who are quirky. Even the ones who are so sweet, but are hiding a secret hurt. Especially all of them!

I strive and pray for this every year, and every year I know that I fail. I get too focused on a result. I get distracted.  I get frustrated. I forget to see the "child" in the children. Lord, help me to always see these little children as you see them. Help me to respond in a way that honors your love. I know I don't deserve it, but I am so grateful and blessed to have that gift.

They really all are a gift to me, entrusted to me by their parents and community. Help me to remember that in the midst of a tough schedule, a hard day, pressures to perform, or whatever else gets in the way. I am teaching music, but what I'm really doing is loving small human beings.

I want to incorporate lots and lots of play, even for my older students. We need to laugh and communicate and include everyone. No matter what my principal directed goal sheet is for the year, these are my goals for my new, challenging,  and exciting school year!

Love,

Me

I am not Super Mom.

Guess what. I am not supermom.

This post has been running around in my head for about 4 months now. I started full time teaching in September, and after the initial excitement of the start of the school year, I began to realize that I can't do it all.

Right around November, concert craziness set in, and most of my attention was directed toward getting ready for two school concerts. My new school was the most stressful, mostly due to the fact that I was new there and had to learn the system while trying to "prove" myself. I spent a lot of extra time at work in November and December and definitely neglected my family at home. Even when I was at home, my mind was at school. But it was temporary, right?

January was also busy with having to grade about 500 students and have my summative evaluation after 3 years in the district.

Now that I've settled into February and stress isn't running my life, I think I've settled into a slight depression and realization that I cannot do it all. Danny and I had a talk about priorities in our family and I shared with him what I have been fearing for many months now. I'm having a tough time with working full-time.

I know, I know. My kids are in school now. I should be happy to have a full time job. They're in school all day anyway.

But I'm not. I feel like I give the best of myself to my students each day. Teaching elementary music is a wonderful career; so fun, so many hugs, but mentally and physically taxing. I'm dealing with little feelings all day long. I think teachers understand this.

When I come home, I'm done. It is a lot easier to veg out in front of the computer instead of engaging with my kids. Things that are really important to me, like playing with my boys, planning great meals, cooking, spending quality time with my husband, praying..... All of these things take a back burner to my "alone" time.

See, I'm the kind of person who needs alone time. I am an introvert, and engaging with people all day (big or small) takes a lot out of me. So my family time at night is the time when I punch out. Not good. This is hurting my soul.

I feel like a failure. Shouldn't I be able to work all day at a job I love, cook a great meal, and hang out with my family? After all, I've got a great husband, who has definitely picked up my slack around here. I want to be able to do it... But once again, I feel like I'm failing in every area.

Where to go from here? Not sure. There's been tears, "trying" harder... I need to pray, that's for sure. And I'll take all the prayers I can get.

I had a principal once, who told me that her priorities went like this: God, family, career.

Here's some latest pics of my family. I know that I am blessed.

Max and Tanner are the two holding hands. Love it!

Love, me.

***UPDATE Spring Break came and went, and it seemed that I just needed a break. Came back from break with a much better outlook and energy and finished the school year strong. Keep me in your prayers for next year!

sunflowers and God

I have been waiting for weeks to be able to share our sunflowers with you. They are really tall and beautiful. The bees have been enjoying them as well. I was thinking about how amazing these are, and how they come from  such a small seed. Within a few months they are 10 to 12 feet tall!

That got me thinking about intelligent design. How else could these have been made? A big bang? Seriously!? Scientists want me to believe that a big bang created these amazing flowers that grow from a tiny seed into these HUGE majestic flowers, and then it all happens again when the seeds fall. From a huge explosion in the universe. Just happening to make these and everything else that grows. Nope, can't believe it.

God is amazing! He created these. He created all things that grow. He created humans and animals, all the systems in our bodies working together. Some people may think Christians are dumb to believe in God, but how can you NOT? These beautiful and wonderful things could only have been deliberately and intelligently designed by the God of the universe.

Anyway, Tanner planted these. Here is his proud self.

And I'm pretty sure that God has a sense of humor, because all of these sunflowers are pointed directly away from our house. Only the neighbors can actually see them in bloom over the fence. Or perhaps we should have researched and found out that sunflowers only face east, where the sun rises. Our gift to you, neighbors. Enjoy.

As you can see our garden has really grown!

Here is Max with the pumpkins he planted with Sharon. He picked them out. They are literally called "Big Max" pumpkins. He is the gardener of our family. He loves planting, watching things grow, and harvesting.

Lastly, I leave you with the cutest little watermelons. They are about the size of Tanner's fist. LOVE it!!!

Love, me

God has opened my eyes!

It is going to be hard to write this without sounding like a complete jerk. (Hopefully, former jerk).

But, the most awesome thing has a occurred this week with me. I think I have begun to see people a little bit more the way God sees them.

Let me explain. Here's where the jerk part comes. As much as I didn't want to, I have always judged people on appearance. Not proud of it. It just happened. Oh, that person has a huge nose. That person is chubby. That person has a way out of date look. Whatever.

Not that I think I am "all that" myself. I just judged. Then I felt bad, and tried to move past it.

I know, I know.

Now for a few years, I HAVE been seeing children as beautiful. No matter what. I especially love the quirky things about them, especially when they get adult teeth that are so big for their faces. That is so cute.

But I noticed at this class I have been taking that I wasn't judging. I was just appreciating all the different looks people are created with. And they were all beautiful. I realized this as I just found this woman to be stunning. And I was trying to explain her to Danny. I said, "Well, she's kind of a bigger lady, and she has short dark hair and dark funky glasses. " And I realized that in the world's eyes, the way I was describing her was not stunningly beautiful.

But, she is! Her hair was an awesome dark shiny color, her skin was just a beautiful color, and her eyes were dark and sparkly. I don't know, just her whole self was beauty.

And another lady you could tell didn't have much money, her glasses and clothes were out of style. But her character, spunk, and enthusiasm shone through. And she was just so darn cute to me.

It is so hard to describe, but I sit with tears in my eyes right now thinking about it. It is just such a great experience to look around at all the people in my life and see such beauty.

Thank you God for opening my eyes!

me

my grad class

Hey everyone!

Have you been wondering where I have been the last two weeks?

I have been in a grad class. I am learning music technology, world music/drumming, and assessment. Here is what I have been seeing all week:
This is the midi music lab we use. Adam is teaching it. I am currently creating a Hot Cross Buns arrangement titled: Hot Buns Around the World. I will not reveal that title to my 4th graders. It makes me giggle.

This is Cheryl. She teaches the hand drumming and world music. Yes, she has purple hair,

and yes, she is awesome!

This is a typical lunch at the institute.

This is my assessment teacher, Mark, when he sits behind me during our working lunch.

This is how I feel right now. I have one day left!

Woo hoo!

technology is dumb!

OK, I really mean technology is expensive! And it makes me mad. I guess I can't think it is dumb at the same time I'm writing a BLOG!

I finally got a full time job again, starting in September (that's a whole 'nother blog post). Danny has wanted an iphone ever since they came out. A lot! And we could never afford it, but now, I guess we can. So.... we'll be getting iphones in the near future. We're calling it our 12 year anniversary present. But, just between you and me, it is more a present for Danny. I know, I know, I'll love it too. Facetime, apps, blah blah blah. But, those suckers are gonna be like $400. And then like, $200 a month for service.

And don't even get me started on our internet! Seriously, almost $50 a month for internet. And it is fast, but not THAT fast.

Also, apparently we need to have a back-up for our computers, in case they all die. Which, I'm told could be as much as $500. Seriously?!?!!!

So, there goes like $1000 all at once.

It just kind of burns my butt, you know. I don't like seeing all that money go away. No wonder people can't afford things right now. Sheesh.

I was really crabby about all of this yesterday.

And I am thankful for the opportunity to make more money and be secure. However, I know that we can't spend like this every month, or we'll be having problems.

*sigh*

Rant done.

Have a great day!

Love, me.

recipe - graham sandwich cookies

My favorite treat that my mom used to make was graham crackers with cream cheese frosting. She always made them with her left over birthday cake frosting. My sister and I would eat them before the birthday dinner, and I'm pretty sure that I liked them even better than the cake.

Now that I'm trying to stay away from any thing partially or fully hydrogenated or high fructosed, store-bought graham crackers always make me cringe a little. However, I have yet to find a cracker recipe that my kids will not gag over.

Success!!!!!! (I actually spelled that wrong and had to use the cheer I learned in 5th grade to figure it out- s-u-c-c-e-s-s, that's they way we spell success!)

The original recipe is here http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/healthy-treat-for-today-homemade-whole-wheat-graham-crackers by Laura at Heavenly Homemakers.

I've done some modifications, though, to please (i.e. trick) my kids into liking them (and they did)! (I like parenthesis-es). ???

Homemade Graham Cracker Shapes

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 1/4 cups white flour

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 t. baking powder

1/2 t. baking soda

1/2 t. salt

1/4 t. cinnamon

4 T. honey

1/4 cup water (I added a splash more for my dough to work)

1 t. vanilla

1 stick butter, melted

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Melt stick of butter in a pan on the stove. Set aside.

3. Stir together flours, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in a mixing bowl.

4. Add the liquids: honey, water, vanilla, and melted butter.

5. Stir well until a ball of dough is formed. (Here is where I added a splash more water to make it form a ball.

6. Cut two pieces of parchment paper about the size of a cookie sheet.

7. Put half of dough in between the parchment paper and roll it out with a rolling pin. Roll it out so that the dough is between 1/8 and 1/4 inch thick.

8. Use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes. Put the shapes on top of a cookie sheet (which I also topped with parchment paper before I put the cookies on). Parchment paper is my new friend. My cracker cookies seemed to bake best on the airbake pan.

9. Bake for 13 - 18 minutes. Mine were done at 15. Remove to rack to cool.

10. Repeat with second half of dough.

Basic Cream Cheese Frosting (This is the original recipe, you will have lots left over. I halved it).

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 T. vanilla

4 cups powdered sugar

1. Mix the cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy.

2. Add vanilla and powdered sugar. Beat until smooth.

NOW..... dut, dah dah DAH!!!!

Take two cracker/cookie things and put some frosting in the middle.

YUMMY!

I was very pleasantly surprised at how much these are actually like graham crackers. AND if you want chocolate grahams, just add 1/4 cup cocoa powder to your dry ingredients. However, be careful not to burn them like I did the first time. Then you will have this....
You might have a dirty sink like me, too. But the ones that did turn out were pretty good.

And the best news.... My boys loved them. I called them crispy sandwich cookies instead of crackers. And we all liked the original better than the chocolate ones. I hope you try them. I think you will like them.

Also, if you wanted to have a homemade graham cracker crust, I'll bet you could use this recipe for that. But I've never tried it. So, good luck with that.

Love, me

paying it forward- simple summer pleasures part 2

Strawberry Picking!


Our family went strawberry picking this week. As you can see, M is very proud of his first strawberry of the season.


T is less than enthused. Actually, he is the one who really wanted to go. But he has also hit the age where you must not show your enthusiasm, lest you be deemed "uncool."


Here is Danny channeling M's enthusiasm.


And here we are with our bounty. T = too cool, M = goomba mushroom from Mario


With our meager cash budget, I was left with exactly $15 to spend on strawberries. But alas, 4 strawberry pickers is a lot, and the total was $17. Some kind stranger offered to give us the extra $2, and his only request was that we "pay it forward." How awesome is that!? I say way awesome.


So, this is what I did the rest of the day. Made freezer jam with those strawberries. And in a small effort to pay it forward, let me know if you want some jam. It is very sweet.

Love, me

simple summer pleasures - part 1

My Backyard!



I really like our backyard. It was a definite plus when considering buying our house. This year, we put in a small raised bed garden. We have pumpkin plants (3), watermelon (2), peas, carrots, and the tall things are sunflowers. We also have cucumber plants that are looking kind of sad. I hope they make it; M and I loved eating cucumbers last year. Check out the scarecrow. I had to turn him around because he usually is facing the other way, pouting like a sassy teenager.

We have the super prolific tomato plant in a pot on our deck. That thing looks awesome. Can't wait for all the fresh tomatoes.

OK, I may be strange, but I really like hanging clothes on the line. Usually the kids are playing on the swing set and it is so peaceful just listening to them play while I hang the clothes in the sunshine. Such a simple thing, but I like it.

Speaking of the swing set, M asked me to push him on the swing. I first said, no, sorry, I am busily making freezer jam. Then, I was like, nope. How much longer will he ask for this? As you can see, he slowed down a lot while I was taking pictures, despite my fabulous "under-duck" skills. T on the other hand, looks like he's going to wrap all the way around the top!

Love those boys. Love the backyard for us to hang in.

Love, me

my blog title, explained

Hey blog readers!

Thought I take the time to explain the title of my blog. When I tried to think of a name a couple of years ago, I was thinking that my life was pretty normal, i.e. "not too crazy." I also am not that crazy of a person, pretty even keel, I guess.

I'll tell you about someone that is kind of crazy, in a fun way. That person is my mom. Here she is after T's piano recital. She is an awesome lady, and most people who know her, really love her. She works really hard at her job as a PT tech, and is super friendly and outgoing. She also has a reputation in our family for being crazy, especially during board games.

One time, she was holding T as a baby during a rousing game of Taboo. She made him cry with her crazy shouting and leaping. She has a reputation. And I LOVE her.

The only time I'm super crazy is when I'm teaching elementary music. I can act as crazy as I want, and my students love it. Did I ever tell you how much I love my job?

Love, me.

homemade strawberry ice cream

Kudos to H for sharing this recipe with me! I only changed it by adding 8 or so freshly picked crushed strawberries! And it does NOT require any special machinery.

1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk

2 tsp pure vanilla extract

2 Tbls Bourbon (I used one teaspoon of Whisky, as we are not Bourbon drinkers)

2 cups heavy cream

(I also added the strawberries)

In a medium bowl, stir condensed milk, vanilla, and booze (he he).

In a large bowl (my awesome electric mixer), beat cream on high until stiff peaks form, about 3 minutes.

With a rubber spatula, gently fold whipped cream (and strawberries) into condensed milk mixture.

Pour into something, and freeze until firm.

This was the most delicious, creamy goodness I have ever tasted.

M really liked it, too.

lemon cucumber water

Hey there blog readers (wink wink)

This is my super cute new cup (from Shopko) filled with water, ice, lemon slice, and cucumber. Saw this idea somewhere else and stole it.

#1 Not a fan of plain water, unless I'm working out.

#2 LOVE the flavor of this! Surprising how much the cucumber comes through.

#3 Really like the new cup. It is cute, I like to drink through a straw, and it doesn't sweat. (Unlike me, when I'm working out)

Just thought I'd share!

Love, me

What is the theme?

Hey blog readers (of which I'm sure I have none) except maybe some who got here by accident!

I am in the midst of summer and am OBSESSED with blogs. Especially food blogs written by moms, and especially moms who want to cook more naturally/organically/healthily/whatever.

I even think in blog talk, as though I am speaking to my fictitious blog readers.

I don't want to be famous or anything. Truthfully, it would be nice for a few more people to know me. Being that I am quite shy in real life. I tend to like friends who carry the conversation. I HATE awkward moments of silence.

Anyway, I am really into cooking. But, I don't think my theme could be cooking. There's so many who already do that (and do it well).

It could be about being a Christ follower-but I'm surely not an expert there!

It could be about being a mom. Not sure my kids want all their junk out there on the web, though.

I really like reading, but don't think that works either.

I guess my blog will just be about all of these parts of me. No theme, definitely not going to get famous with that one. Oh, well. I am blessed.

Love, me.

The story I return to, when I have doubts

I don't know if all Christians have doubts, but sometimes I do. It would be so nice for God to show up in my living room, and talk right to me. But, I did have a powerful experience a few years ago, and I really feel led to share it here....

I decided that I'd like to get another part time job about 3 years ago as a lifeguard. I did it in high school, and thought it would be a nice way to make a little extra money, along with a free Y membership.

So, I had to go to lifeguard training (which by the way, is WAY more intense than it was in high school). I signed up for a two weekend training at the YMCA. Let me tell you about the typical lifeguard trainee. They are usually young, fit, squeaky clean (from all the chlorine?), and on the swim team.

Well, not only did I not fit that description, neither did a young lady named Katie. She was not fit, had short bleached blond hair, tattoos, piercings, and did not appear "squeaky clean." She was also very very quiet.

I felt an immediate need to help her in some way. It was a deep, urgent feeling, that really came over me in a powerful way that first day. As I watched her "parents" drive up and pick her up after an exhausting first day, I couldn't put together the young lady's appearance with the elderly couple that picked her up. And despite my intense urgent feeling to help, I chickened out. I am NOT an outgoing person, and my fears and insecurity got the best of me that whole first weekend.

With bruised arms, and sore muscles (lifeguard training is hard for old ladies like myself!) I spent the next week in a lot of prayer for Katie. I really felt an intense need to do so, so much that I have trouble describing how it felt. I told my family about her, and asked them to pray as well.

The next weekend I finished lifeguard training with the flu; thank goodness for Advil! Nothing like having body aches and chills while jumping in and out of the pool, and pulling muscle-y teenage boys from the bottom of the pool, whose legs sink like rocks!

However, the most amazing story came from Katie that day! I purposefully joined the group she was in, and she was ALIVE that day. She shared with us that she was in foster care; she had been on the streets using and dealing drugs, living a rough and lost life. Then she excitedly shared that she became "born again" that week. She was just beaming, and so happy. I was completely floored.

I didn't know exactly what I was praying for that week, I just knew that I needed to do something. That the feeling was so powerful. I did give her a hug and wish her well. And that was it. We all took our written tests and left. And I've never seen her again.

That experience was so powerful for me and my faith, that I felt the need to share. I've never directed anyone to my blog, because I felt like I it was more of a diary for me, and who would be interested. But this story, is one for sharing. :)

Go Pack Go or Screentime limits

Go Pack Go!!!! Or went, Pack, went...... as in went on to be Superbowl Champs! That was awesome!!!! Really enjoyed watching the game at the B's house with friends. M crashed during the 4th quarter.

Well, after my 38th birthday, I've decided to limit my computer screen time to once a day, after the kids go to bed. I've been doing it for 2 days now, and have noticed that I'm spending much more time talking to the kids and actually getting stuff done. Countless times, I have walked over to the computer, and turned around again. Facebook has been such a bad habit for me, and leading me over to youtube where I can spend countless hours.

I also spend way too much time checking school email. Heck, if I'm only getting paid part time wages, I shouldn't be spending all my time off looking for school emails, right?

The main goal for me is more connections with my two precious boys.....

another 6 months later

Wow! If I'm really going to blog, I should probably do it a little more often. Well, it is post-Christmas, and almost my 38th birthday. When the heck did I get that old. I remember when my Mom turned forty, I was in college. So different for me. I'll have a nine and almost 7 year old.

Things are going well around here. I'm teaching music part - time and REALLY loving it. Today we sang the Packer Dynamite song. It was awesome to see the kids so excited, not only for the Packers who play in the Superbowl on Sunday, but because it was a parody of Dynamite, which most of them know and love.

T had piano lesson today; he is doing really well with it. Just starting the music staff. I'm glad he's found something he's found an identity with. He's not into sports, so it is good for him.

M is doing well in 4K. Not much new to report there.

Just want to end by saying how great my hubby is. Everyone who knows him, loves him. He makes everyone feel so comfortable. I envy that about it, but also appreciate it. I would have to come out of my shell a lot more if he wasn't around.

I'd really like to keep this blog up.

6 months later!

Hey, I'm getting better. It has only been a HALF a year this time! I've been reading a friend's blog, almost daily, so thought I'd check to see if I remembered how to get to my blog. Now that it is mid-summer and I'm kinda bored on this rainiest of summers, maybe I'll get into keeping up with this thing. And maybe learn how to post some pictures!

I deliberately took the summer completely off! No teaching or jobs whatsoever! I am liking it, but will be ready for school to start. Hey, it is only 45% after all. I think I'll be teaching Tues/Thurs all day and Friday mornings for an hour and a half. Not too bad, methinks!

Just hope we don't end up in the poorhouse! Thank goodness for my faith in God. Don't have to worry that way.