Getting this place in shape!

For so long, I have been saying that I will just be happy if we could get the house "finished" as far as the decorating/organization goes. Well, slowly but surely, we have started to get some things accomplished.

1. Drapes-We got the drapes awhile ago, but they are still "new."
2. I replaced the metal circle "thing" above the fireplace with a painting that I LOVE. The candlestick and candles are a nice complimentary accessory. THANKS to Home Goods!!
3. The buffet lamps were a suggestion from my dad (as everything was) and they look wonderful!
4. I replaced the oddball knick knacks (aka JUNK) that were in my little cube shelves with more coordinating items.

So...I am starting to be happier with my house. Yay!!

My little cubes!
New "look" for the living room!
Cubes from farther away!

Back to school...back to blogging!

WOW! You would think that I would have more time to blog during the summer. What happened? Summer went so fast, but I hope to stay updated with my blogging once I get back into a routing. There is something to be said for routines.

As usual, I had many summer projects along the lines of decorating. I did not accomplish any of them...not even ONE!! Well, today was my last day off, and I was not about to say I didn't get to check even one thing off of my list. So.......

Off to Michael's I went to buy frames for my picture wall that I had been wanting to make ever since I saw Joi's at Nuestra Vida Dulce. She is a master of design! Check out her blog if you haven't.

Well, this is what I came up with, and for once, I am really happy with it!! I took one picture of the entire wall, then a few close ups of my favorite pictures. And YES, I took the photos myself! Yeah!

School starts tomorrow, so I am off to bed!!

Here is the wall...it's better in person!

A favorite picture I took looking out over Salzburg...gorgeous!

One of my favorites...the old library in Ephesus!

Oh Venice...so fabulous!

It's been so long...

One would think that I would have MORE time to update the blog during the summer...so what happened?? I don't know. The summer is flying by. It has already been fun, relaxing, exciting, and productive...hence the lack of blog posts.

Update:

1. I just returned from dance camp at Mizzou. It was fun but completely exhausting! I enjoyed watching some really amazing dancers though, and spending time with the FZN dancers. I will not be teaching or coaching at North next year, so this was a nice weekend.

2. Our garden is growing like crazy! We have LOADS of tomatoes and lots of other yummy stuff.

3. Rick saw another snake in our yard. I will not be going outside again. Ever.

4. We leave on Wednesday (yes, THIS Wednesday) for our big trip! We fly to Austria, run around there for a bit, ride an overnight train to Venice, board a cruise ship that will take us to Greece, Croatia, and Turkey, then we spend two days in Venice! AAAAHHHH!! I am completely excited.

Now it is time to unpack from dance camp and begin packing for our trip!!

Farmers Libbi and Rick

Ok, so I know that we aren't REAL farmers, but we decided to plant a garden this year. It is AMAZING!! I was extremely skeptical, but our garden is really growing. We planted tomatoes, onions, lettuce, and a whole row of fresh herbs. Here are some photos.

This is a photo of when we started to see some things pop up.

These are our first tomatoes!!


My basil is taking over! Lettuce is behind it.
This is the first lettuce I used from the garden! We had salads and they were great!

It is so cool to know that everything you are eating is super fresh and healthy!

Pride

Yes, I know that "pride goeth before a fall," but I am willing to risk it. Last weekend I was extremely proud. Yes, I was proud that I graduated with a Master's, but I was more proud of my "baby" sister Katie. She graduated with her Bachelors in Theater. Here are the details:

1. Katie graduated from Columbia College Chicago (a GREAT arts college)
2. Katie graduated with honors.
3. Katie graduated in 3 1/2 years! WOW!
4. Katie moved 5 hours from home at the age of 18, and is working her tail off to really make something of herself.

I am SO proud.

Many people who claim that they will have a career in theater never finish a college degree, and believe that jobs are just going to fall into their lap. Katie definitely does not love taking classes like I do, and this will be it for her (I think) as far as college goes, but she graduated, with honors, and has a degree in theater. She did what she loves.

I am SO proud.

Katie is going on tons of auditions while working other jobs to gain references and experiences. She doesn't ever take the attitude of, "Well, that's beneath me," and I really believe that she will be successful.

As a teacher, I always hope that I send students out of high school to follow their dreams. Not just to wait for their dreams to happen, but to MAKE them happen. I also hope to have "raised" students who are independent, responsible adults. I have had a few students like Katie, and it is wonderful to hear of their successes. So I know I am not the only one who is proud of her...

But did I mention: I am SO proud!!

Katie on the Jumbo Tron walking across the stage!
Outside!
Before the ceremony.
Getting ready...and excited!

from Chicago

I just wanted to post a quick update from The Windy City! We are here for Katie's graduation. Friday night I graduated with my Master's in Education, and Saturday morning we hopped on a plane to come here to see Katie graduate. Saturday we spent SIX (gorgeous) HOURS walking around this amazing city enjoying the weather and taking a million pictures. The pics. will come later...I promise!

After walking our legs off, we came home and got ready for a night of FUN eating dinner and bowling at The Lucky Strike. It was sooooooo cool. If you ever get the chance to bowl there, do it!

Now we are here getting ready for Katie's graduation. She graduates at 3:00 today and we fly home after that.

A whirlwind weekend indeed!

Rambling?

Preface: Rick is out of town. We are state testing at school. So...after hours of strict SILENCE, I am coming home to no one to talk to. I apologize if this is rambling, but this is my "talking" for the moment.

We have three full weeks of school left after this one. WOW. I cannot believe it. I knew that, especially learning of my new job next year, the year would go fast, but this is insane. I was, initially, excited beyond words to be moving to Zumwalt East High. And don't get me wrong, I am still incredibly excited. I know that I will be a better teacher for moving, and I will finally feel the freedom to teach in my own style, try new things, and do what good teachers do.

But now that the end of the year is finally near, I am forced to face the people who I will really miss. People have started saying things like, "We will really miss you," and "What will we do next year?" It's a huge honor to know people care, but it is really hard too.

I have the best students this year that I have ever had, and they also keep telling me how they will miss me. Some have even said, "But what will we do? We were going to have you our senior year for speech." All of my teacher friends can understand how that completely rips your heart out.

Again, I KNOW I have made the right decision, and I will be much happier because of it, but the next few weeks are going to be a challenge in "keeping it all together."