It has been a WEEK

And what a week it has been. I am actually surprised at how well I did, but I am thankful that it is over.
Monday, dh left for a week-long business meeting and although he is still in the state(last one was in Virginia), he hasn't been here. I did appreciate not having to cook too much. Joshy is quite satisfied with chicken, fries and ketchup-ha. But, I was a bit worried about having ds all to myself. He has been known to be difficult.

But, I have to tell you, he was GR-8. Monday I had a field trip at Cracker Country. We had fantastic weather and my class really enjoyed it. Job sharing makes field trips tricky, but it all worked out well. We had dinner at Aunt Sue's with Grandma visiting and went in the pool and jacuzzi. It was a very nice and relaxing evening. Aunt Sue is starting to be a bit more like her ole self.
Tuesday, Weds were unremarkable actually and that is all good. The house is in one piece, the kid is in one piece, schoolwork is done. Laundry is in progress and the FCAT writing scores came out this morning.

Our 4th graders at Bay Crest scored higher than they EVER have. They averaged a 4.1 which is fantastic. I am looking forward to receiving their individual scores in the near future.

Tomorrow I get a very very very LONG overdue haircut. I can NOT wait. Before that I am having lunch with a potential job share partner and I can't wait to meet her. (She interviews with DP on Monday) keep your fingers crossed.

Saturday is National Scrapbook Day......yes, there is one.

Sunday I am going to see Fiddler on the Roof with Aunt Sue.
Busy weekend, but it is the weekend. YEAH>
(sorry for those of u that have to work on Fri).

OMG also can't believe that it is going to be May 1st.......happy anniversary Vera & Steve.
Luv,
Jax

FL

I have always luved living here and when we have weather like we have had this week, I KNOW why.
There hasn't been a cloud in the sky and although the pool is still more than a bit chilly for me, ds has been luving it.
The evenings have a cool breeze and this is what I just luv about living here.


We had a former family member return this week when Uncle Dave asked us to take Silly back. DS has bonded with her like mad as has dh. I, could do without another pet, trust me, but Dad is smiling down, I know.
She only tried to bite me twice-lol, but will gladly take the apple I have been giving her each evening.

Today we are off to the Touch a Truck in Dunedin and tomorrow the boys go to the train show in Largo. Our community is having a yard sale this morning-LOTS of traffic and barking dogs here. We can't participate cause my lil guy is the worlds' BIGGEST pack rat and we can't give anything away while he looks. TRUST me, I would luv to. WSD scrappy yard sale today too. I miss all the fun. Believe me, I have tons I could have sold, but not good timing.

Still waiting on word for my partner issues at school, patience Jax, patience.

Hope everyone has a great weekend. I have several projects that need attending to. Hope to accomplish some of them.
Jax

another day, another smile

some days it is much harder to find that smile than others. i left the kayla shower a bit earlier than i had xpected to and headed back over the bridge thinking that spending a little while with dh might be a GOOD idea. truth be told, i know that i had been less than attentive lately, but i often get into a "funk" this time of year, worrying about summer(no paycheck), finding a new partner for the following year and the like.
basically, i have been weepy, mopey and very hormonal-none of this being dh's fault, i figured that a good talk would help.
i talked, i cried and we connected by listening to each other. sometimes you just have to listen. right?

today my heart was warmed once again when one local tv reporter asked me to give her 60 seconds of my time before i picked up my class from lunch. it was more than 60 seconds, but she wanted me to know how much she appreciated ME and was mailing me a gift certificate to the salon that she has gone to for years.
well, anyone who has seen me lately KNOWS that i could SERIOUSLY use this pampering, but oh my gosh did one fabulous lady(Jackie Callaway) absolutely make me SMILE from ear to ear.

Thanks Jackie for thinking of me........

Courage

I have to tell you that I had such an amazing time yesterday at the Project 365 crop hosted this month by Valerie. First I will say what an amazingly gorgeous home she has. WOW. it was absolutely magnificent. Each room more beautiful than the one before. As she gave us the grand tour and I looked in each corner with all the gorgeous glass vases from her store, Val's Basket Warehouse, all I could think of was: Hmmm, wonder how long Joshy would take to break this, that and the other. LOL. Someday I might be able to have things like that again.

It was very nice to meet new 365-ers and Val's sil too. We had a large group with plenty of room and all working on some project or other. We were all surprised when Jean came in and had her gs in tow with her. Drew has grown up so quickly and did a fabulous job of playing with Patches and becoming our group photographer without stepping too far back and into the pool(something I would assume he wouldn't have minded too much cept that he held Dee's Cannon Rebel in his hands).

When I was packing up to leave to give dh some fishing time, Carol arrived(she was suffering with a migrane yesterday so arrived late). We don't get to see Carol often enough so it was good to have her join the group, even if I didn't get to see her for very long.

I had left her a copy of a photo that I had taken at the walk ms event at the zoo a few weeks ago. Her girl scout troop volunteered and did a phenominal job of passing out the magnets to everyone who crossed the finish line at the walk. I asked her if the girls enjoyed themselves and she responded with a resounding YES. "In fact, at their meeting this week, they were doing some more work on their badge and their discussion was about people who demonstate courage."
She continued on with the fact that all the girls at the meeting said that I was someone who exemplified great courage.
Needless to say, I walked out of Valerie's home crying like a baby or should I say honestly, crying like a Tinsky. I could hear my father boo hooing in my ear like you can NOT imagine.

THANK YOU Carol and to your scouts for making me take a moment and be humbled. I do try to demonstate strength in adversity and I didn't realize just how much of an impact that I make on others. So, I greatly appreciate the opportunity. As I sit hear crying once again, I will bow my head gracefully and KNOW in my heart that I DO touch others and that means more than I can put into words.

Jax

TGIF

I am soooooo glad that it is Friday. I REALLY am.
I had a good day at school today too, but I am just soooooo ready for the weekend.

It has been a LONG week and quite unsettling actually. So I am feeling a bit more stressed than usual which makes me crabby and NOT a happy camper.

I hope to get caught up a bit this weekend and try to chill and relax. But, I think that I might need to just veg. more than anything else and I for one, do NOT see that happening.

Also, I am DESPERATELY in need of a good babysitter, so if someone could rec. one, i would greatly appreciate it.
Jax

Back at It

So, it was back to school today. I for one, could have used another week off. I know, for those of you who are NOT teachers, you do NOT want to hear it, but those of you who are, get it.

We had a very busy Easter Sunday yesterday and despite my NUMEROUS requests for the family to limit the candy, only Aunt Sue obliged. I left an entire basket of unopened candy at mil's house in St. Pete and took home way more than I would have liked to. My child got nearly as many gifts from the Easter Bunny as Santa this year AGAIN. I guess that is what happens in a family when he is the only lil one for decades.........

I still have a TON of photos to upload and all i can think about is taking a nap that I am not going to get to take. I am really tired of being tired and I think a call to my neuro might be in order actually, but being after 5pm, that might just have to wait.

Found out today that I once again, have NO teaching partner for next year. Job sharing is amazing in every aspect except for this time of year when my partners always decide they need to go back full time next year, leaving me feeling like I am getting divorced once again.
I completely understand this time(as i have in the past) but it always adds to my anxiety having to seek out and find a suitable replacement. I will put it out there and then expect that it will all fall into place as it usually does.

Feeling kinda blah today........a good cry might be in order just don't know why actually. Off to go and find some leftovers that might be able to serve as dinner for the boys. I just ate a chocolate brownie leftover from last night and that might just be all it takes.

TTFN,
Jax

Hoppy Easter

Shout out to everyone who celebrates Easter-hope it is a happy one.
I must admit that my son, who has been named TROUBLE by many did an egg-sellent job of coloring eggies last night.
They came out in very bright and vibrant colors and I hope that the photos will show that when I download them.

This afternoon we will head over to St. Pete for dinner(Lupper) and an eggie hunt hosted by Nanny and Pop-Pop.
Josh was very thrilled with the goodies that the bunny left in his basket. He got almost NO candy, but numerous Scooby Doo dvd's, a couple of choo choo's and some art supplies. I am certain that there will be plenty of goodies in St. Pete, but hopefully, not tooo tooo much candy.

Have a wonderful Easter and celebrate luv from all around you,
Scrappin Jax

packing update

please re-read if you care to about my packing a couple of posts down.

i DID remove several pairs of shoes and a few shirts to lighten my load. well, it was a good thing since my suitcases were JAM packed coming home.

However, the first 26 hours we were in Savannah it was POURING down sideways and I was a drowned rat. I had left two pairs of shoes in my suitcase and neither one of them is completely dry all these days later. I was sloshing in them for days up there.
I also ended up at the GAP and bought a shirt to travel home in as I ran out of shirts to wear-literally.

Next time, I leave the clothing and take fewer snacks cause never ate em. However, not sure what happened to my Twizzlers? Hmmmm.

Also, I had the BEST massage I have had in a VERY long time. Thanks to parking dude Sam at the hotel for finding us the massage therapists that spoiled us rotten on Saturday :)

Spring Break is here

and I am very thankful that the Savannah trip happened to have been scheduled right before my Spring Break. There is NO possible way that I could have gotten myself up and off to school yesterday.

The train trip was by far one of the BEST vacations that I have taken since my honeymoon in Hawaii. The group that I traveled with was very diverse and met some really nice ladies. Savannah was truly an INCREDIBLE place to visit. OMG I am already trying to plan my return there. It was absolutely GORGEOUS !! Oh yeah, the scrapping was good too although as usual, I took wayyyyyy too much scrappy stuff and accomplished hardly any of what was planned to accomplish. I did complete four 12x12 layouts and nearly finished the scrapping choo choo album class, without actually taking the class itself. I hope to finish it up this weekend as I am missing some of the stamped images and i do want it all to match.

I uploaded all 250+ photos last night and I am anxious to see everyone else's shots. Had a ball trying to complete the digital scavenger hunt, although admittedly, I did not get to take the shot of me and my teammates praying in church-LOL, nor did I find the member of the clergy to take a photo with/of.
The photo of me hugging the horse as he ATE my namebadge and nearly strangled me is among my favorites.

Joshy's ROCK traveled to and from Savannah in FLAT STANLEY style and I have pics to prove it. I am still afraid(very afraid) to get on the scale since I literally ate my way from Florida to Georgia and back again.
The Pirate House was a favorite of mine and the shrimp and scallops at the Pink House was to DIE for. The shrimp could have been lobster(my fave food) if noone had told me differently.
I skipped the drag show(no Jen, I am NOT a chicken) and the pub crawl, but did indulge in two drinks while there.

I have many more highlights to share, but I must go and finish up laundry and unpacking. My boys had a great weekend at the beach and Johnnie is now .....well, OLD.

Happy Tuesday of Spring Break. It is tooo darn cold and windy here for my liking. The beach is calling my name but not today.

Jax