The End

Well, my summer vacation is over and has been for about a week now. School is back in session and everyone is hard at work, or is it hardly working?

This year I did something different and went in to work about two weeks before I had to. I got my room in shape and doing that made the first week we teachers were back one of the best first weeks ever. I've completely altered the arrangement in my room and I love it! I plan to post a picture but I don't have it uploaded yet, so when I get that done I'll post it here. It's nice to have a comfortable space in which to work, not only for me, but also for the students.

I've got a really good group of students this year. I think it's going to be a good one.

Avoid Windshield Damage

While driving home today from Rexburg, I drove through construction. Naturally. It's everywhere. I was amused to see the following sign during some of the construction zone..."Avoid Windshield Damage." Now, how is one supposed to avoid damaging a windshield during a drive through a construction zone? I suppose I should change careers and become a stunt woman. That way I can cleverly (and safely) jump onto the hood of my car with a bat of some sort and protect my windshield from damage. "Oh, the irony... 'Loose gravel'...'Avoid windshield damage.'" Those were the thoughts running through my head as a couple rocks met my windshield up close and personal. Luckily, I was able to avoid windshield damage.

Now, the reason I was in Idaho...my sister-in-law gave birth to a little boy about 5 days ago. I went there to stay with their other kids while she and my brother were in the hospital. I had a blast. My nieces and nephews are such fun. I was regaled with tales of Pokemon, Harry Potter, and Ben 10. I played a lovely new version of Connect 4 with my 2 1/2 year old niece. I played several games of Blokus and made several DQ runs...mmmm....icecream treat!

My nephew safely arrived and he's a cutie. His brothers and sisters are fascinated. They love to hold him and when they can't do that, they want to look at him and hold his baby fingers in their hands. New babies are fun!

Now I am home and I really miss them.

1:22:33 p.m.

I finished Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Ahhh...the only way I can think of to express a sound of complete and utter satisfaction. Well done, J.K. Rowling, well done!

Colorado

I departed for Lakewood, Colorado on Tuesday, July 17. The eight hour drive added to the 20 I had driven, or been driven, over that weekend. I spent shy of a week with my dear friend, Martissa and her family. Martissa was my first in-field mission companion. We had a marvelous time. Her children had chosen an activity they especially wanted to do with me during my now short time in Colorado. Sadly, I had abbreviated my itinerary and stayed about a week less than I had planned so I could return home for the last week with the all the members of my now split ward. Martissa's eldest child wanted to take me out to Olive Garden for lunch. It was delicious! Her middle child wanted to take me on a hike, it was hot but worth the view. Her third child wanted to cuddle, and of course, I loved every minute of that (she's three and we are little buddies)! Her youngest, only wanted mom but was bravely patient with me when the occassion warrented. Of course, we made sarmale, a lovely Romanian dish, which is becoming a must whenever I visit. I also had the pleasure of meeting a friend I hadn't met face to face. Meeting new friends is always enjoyable. I had such a wonderful time!

Now that I'm home, I am recovering from some sort of bug...perhaps sheer exhaustion as a result of driving or being in a car 36 hours in about a week's time. I'm just now feeling better and glad to be home and sleeping in my own bed (although I spent the whole day in my gorgeous bed yesterday and don't want to do that again). Yesterday it rained and today is cooler which also helps with the recovery.

Split Decision

In June, when my bishop announced over the pulpit that he could not dispell the rumors about a major ward split, I knew it would only be a matter of time. Two Sundays ago, a member of the High Council came and announced that the following week changes were going to be announced. He asked us to remember ward and stake leaders in prayer and asked us not to speculate. Hmmm....We tried.

I missed yesterday because I was on the road after having attended a wedding dinner for a cousin of mine. No one called me to inform me of the changes so today when I got home, I called a friend.

To make a long story short...I am in a new ward. I am released from a calling I loved, I will miss the farewell Sunday meeting ,and I am all around bummed.

What is in a name?

I've had a wonderful amount of "free-time" today and so I thought I would peruse through the past blogs of my dearest friends. A blog from January 2007 entitled "What's in a name?" caught my attention and I clicked on the website where I popped in my name and here are the stats:

27,207 people share my first name.
21,161 people share my last name.

2 people have both my first and last name.

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing, Boss!

Fourth of July Fun

Our Independence Day celebrations were really a lot of fun. I like nothing more than to get together with family and friends for a BBQ or just talk time. We met at my parents house. Everyone was there except for the Rexburg crew. We missed the Rexburg crew quite a lot. Also in attendance were a few family friends. We ate good food, had good conversation, and played games.The weather was hot so we mostly stayed inside. As hot as it was, many took courage and braved the heat to play. The traditional fireworks fun also made for an enjoyable evening. Here are some picture from the day.