"Goin' down the only road I've ever kno-own." It is ever so close to Back to School time and this song is resonating in my head. Not that I even like Whitesnake or that song... but alas, D-day is leering around the corner from me, calling my name, reaching it's dirty, skinny arms out to embrace me in a germ-infested hug. And what of me you ask? I am smiling. Yes. Smiling. Because I am just as excited as my soon to be students. But I'm a freak (knew this already). Apparently there is many a teacher out there who dreads this time??? Wha??? You haven't been sneaking into your classroom every week all summer long to help you prepare for the floodgates to reopen? Get giddy at the thought of your classroom full of runny noses, sticky desks, and adoration? Oh, but yes. This is true. I am new... thanks for the reality check. Because I fully expect that at sometime over the next few years I will develop a detest for all things juvenile and dread their sweet adolescent faces, hoping for just one.more.month of summer vacation because who really does this job for any other reason........... right. When that day comes I will be the first to admit my wretchedness and find a new job.
Now, about the summer. I fully realize it has been 2.5 months since my last post and I have no other words other than, "Sorry!" It is summer. And summer for a teacher is, well, bliss. No schedules, no job to worry about, no bed times, no nothing. Just complete, unadulterated whatever I want. I must add in here that summer around our house in Suburbia is much different that most. See, my husband, he's, well, a firefighter. And anyone who knows what its like to be married to a firefighter knows what I'm talking about. They have a LOT of time off. I mean A LOT. Not that they don't earn it - I'll post another time about the perils he has faced and how he has (on multiple occasions) probably saved your life. And you had no idea! He really is that good. But back to my point... oh yes. He basically rarely works. So put this together with a teacher who has the whole summer off and you get the picture.
Our summer started with many an afternoon basking in the sun and splash of a Slip N' Slide. With it's long slide, one couldn't help but imagine... what else could this beautiful orange runway be used for? Welcome to America's Next Backyard Model. Eat your heart out Miss J.
And then of course was the tracking of the beast. This is an ancient American Indian tradition that goes back to the times of the Whooly Mammoth. Olivia has summoned the spirits for strength as she tracked the greatest of all the beasts - the ferocious, mysterious and stealth Chocolate Lab.
In additon to modeling and beast slaying, we spent many a Wednesday morning up atop a wakeboard at Lucky Peak admiring the peacefullness and tranquility that exists only for the non-working, retired, or PFFI members. I have to send a special shout out to my Cookies who were so kind to lend their wakeboards (let alone their boat) for our summertime bliss - all which did not exist without them and their latest (and cutest) addition. So thank you, Cookies, for sharing the love and the fuel costs.
To go along with the mad air we tried to catch, we meandored our way up toward the Seattle area and explored Victoria, BC all before spending yet another week in bliss at a fun lil' place called Mason Lake. All this to be elaborated on in a later post because I'm not sure how much I can commit to write in one seating, even with a protein breakfast smoothie in tow. Remember, it's been a while.
First stop when we got to Seattle was the original Starbucks. This is like our Bethlehem or the Al-Hambra. No joke - we parked our car, walked down to Pike's Place Market, and stopped at Starbucks. We love you. Thank you for blessing us with delicious Pike's Place roast and my Grande non-fat, light-whip, 3-pump white chocolate mocha. To quote the profound words of Racheal Ray, "Yum-mo!"
Don't you love our tricky camera trickiness?
Before we set up camp at Mason Lake, we had to explore Victoria, BC. It really is as beautiful as everyone says. The people are nice and who knew the Canadian economy was so good? We bought gas for our SUV in Canada, thinking it would be better, and after some improper algebraic calculations, we thought we filled up for ~ $60. Oh no. It cost $95 frickin dollars! Thanks George W. The American dollar is (FOR THE FIRST TIME!) worth less than the Canadian dollar.
Now, about the summer. I fully realize it has been 2.5 months since my last post and I have no other words other than, "Sorry!" It is summer. And summer for a teacher is, well, bliss. No schedules, no job to worry about, no bed times, no nothing. Just complete, unadulterated whatever I want. I must add in here that summer around our house in Suburbia is much different that most. See, my husband, he's, well, a firefighter. And anyone who knows what its like to be married to a firefighter knows what I'm talking about. They have a LOT of time off. I mean A LOT. Not that they don't earn it - I'll post another time about the perils he has faced and how he has (on multiple occasions) probably saved your life. And you had no idea! He really is that good. But back to my point... oh yes. He basically rarely works. So put this together with a teacher who has the whole summer off and you get the picture.
Our summer started with many an afternoon basking in the sun and splash of a Slip N' Slide. With it's long slide, one couldn't help but imagine... what else could this beautiful orange runway be used for? Welcome to America's Next Backyard Model. Eat your heart out Miss J.
And then of course was the tracking of the beast. This is an ancient American Indian tradition that goes back to the times of the Whooly Mammoth. Olivia has summoned the spirits for strength as she tracked the greatest of all the beasts - the ferocious, mysterious and stealth Chocolate Lab.
To go along with the mad air we tried to catch, we meandored our way up toward the Seattle area and explored Victoria, BC all before spending yet another week in bliss at a fun lil' place called Mason Lake. All this to be elaborated on in a later post because I'm not sure how much I can commit to write in one seating, even with a protein breakfast smoothie in tow. Remember, it's been a while.
First stop when we got to Seattle was the original Starbucks. This is like our Bethlehem or the Al-Hambra. No joke - we parked our car, walked down to Pike's Place Market, and stopped at Starbucks. We love you. Thank you for blessing us with delicious Pike's Place roast and my Grande non-fat, light-whip, 3-pump white chocolate mocha. To quote the profound words of Racheal Ray, "Yum-mo!"Don't you love our tricky camera trickiness? Before we set up camp at Mason Lake, we had to explore Victoria, BC. It really is as beautiful as everyone says. The people are nice and who knew the Canadian economy was so good? We bought gas for our SUV in Canada, thinking it would be better, and after some improper algebraic calculations, we thought we filled up for ~ $60. Oh no. It cost $95 frickin dollars! Thanks George W. The American dollar is (FOR THE FIRST TIME!) worth less than the Canadian dollar. 
Alas, we arrive at Mason Lake after our GPS nearly gets us lost and our daughter calls him a dirt bag. (Imagine a small british man with a thick accent mocking your every wrong turn.) But the wait is worth it because Mason Lake is the mecca of nothingness. I gained a solid 5 pounds and read a whole book in one day. Olivia ate a KING-SIZED Snickers bar everyday. Phil almost drowned me, decorated his chest with Easy Cheez, and bought a hookah. I mooned some neighbors and we got this sweet pic of the whole fam on a jet ski. Notice how I am the one driving because after Olivia witnessing the thrashing that Phil and his friends bestowed on one another, there is no way in hell she will let him touch the throttle. Yeah for Safety Mom! P.S. As a result of the aforementioned thrashings, Phil's life jacket is literally falling apart as we drive away. Too bad I'm about to throw his a** off the back!
So there you have it. The best excuses I can come up with for not blogging all summer. They are pretty damn good if I do say so myself. But what is this, lying ever so delicately in front of me? A new leaf? I shall turn it over. Here you go new, turned over leaf. Make a nice home right here in front of my keyboard as a reminder to the pledge I am making to consistently update this blog. Just don't get blown away by the Wild Thing that tends to lurk around corners, looking for something to attack with ninja-like speed and Goofy inspired agility.
~ Adieu
