MN State Fair~

Saturday Jesse and I decided to go to the State Fair. I hadn't been there since I was about 7(?) with grandma and grandpa. We had the perfect day to walk around outside and eat! A few of our favorites??-- Umm- Sweet Martha's cookies ( Jesse could have probably ate about 24 of these), cheese curds, gyros..... just to name a few. We decided to take a bus there to avoid the driving mess ( and I'm glad we did!). There were TONS of people~ felt like millions~. We took the skyride from one end of the fair to ther other. That was pretty neat. It's kind of like a zipline- only you are sitting inside a bucket watching everyone below. We didn't go on any other rides, but certainly enjoyed all the people watching!

After the fair, we went up to Maple Grove. Didn't find much- a couple of shirts for teaching, and Jesse found a pair of shoes. We debated going to a movie, but were too tired.

Yesterday was another busy day. We started off with a trip to Caribou. That's one of my favorite things to do ( I wish it wasn't!) when I am here. I brought my computer- Jesse, a book, and we just sit and monkey around for about an hour. It's quite relaxing. In the aftertnoon we took a trip to the "teacher store" to buy some letter stamps. I could literally spend hours in this store-- but my funds won't allow it! I always find something I need!?! Luckily this trip I made it out the door with just my small purchase. After homemade shrimp fettucine for dinner we watched the movie Shooter. It was ok.... not really my type of movie~ a little gruesome.

All in all- I've had a great weekend relaxing in the cities and feel about ready to start school. I am looking forward to a week at home before the craziness begins. Better run for today. I hope this post finds everyone enjoying the end of summer!

About finished!

Here is an updated picture of my room. It's kind of hard to see how it looks- but I am happy with how it turned out. Erin and Tawnya helped me on Tuesday for a solid 5 hours!! THANKS, GIRLS!-- They worked hard! I went back yesterday for the day to spend time finishing up a few things. I kind of feel like my brain is on overload right now. I am trying to figure out my schedule (which will be tricky with a k/1 class-- where K only comes every other day). It's not working so well yet- but I am pretty confident that once the year get going, it will all come together.... at least that is what I keep telling myself.

I decided to take a few days off from thinking about school, before the year is in full swing. I drove to MPLS today-- but not without first visiting gram and gramps. They were doing quite well today. I went with grandma to get her nails done. I talked her into getting this HOT PINK polish-- and though she was hesitant, she did it anyways. Afterward she kept saying " isn't that a pretty color? It makes my skin look so brown!" Too cute. I also got to hear about a ring my grandpa brought back from India after he had been there for 25 months ( when they were first married!). I love hearing those stories-- and realize that we need to get some of them on video! They remember them so well! I'll visit them again on my way home and look forward to another good visit.

As for the weekend, Jesse and I plan on keeping things low-key. We could go to the state fair-- or maybe hit a Twins game if they are in town, but we'll see. Weekends go by so fast.
That's the latest update. Hope everyone is doing well.

In Progress~

This is where I left off today... more to be done tomorrow! I hope to be all finished at some point on Wednesday so that I can take some time to look through curriculum and start lesson planning (not to mention I am hoping for a RELAXING weekend with nothing to do).
Loads of love to you all!

School Days...

I spent most of my day up in Orr today. I went to see my classroom and all that I needed to do. I must admit, I kind of like setting it up-- it's just I had no idea where to start! My tables and desks were all tipped over, chairs and bookshelves were on cupboards,no computer, no carpet, and definitely no color in there! So~ after about 6 hours, this is what it looks like. I am going back tomorrow to work some more, and Erin's also going to come and help... it will be so much more fun to have someone to chat with! So- I'll try to post some pictures when it's all finished. Here are some from this morning when I got to school.

Friends, Sisters, Cousins and more...

It's been such a busy few days! While I was in MPLS, I was fortunate to have been able to meet up with a dear friend, Christie. We met up at Caribou, had a quick chat over coffee and then went our separate ways. It was so great seeing her, and I feel truly blessed to have her in my life! She's going on a trip to Sierra Leone for 6 months to work in an orphanage.... what an amazing woman!

After that, I headed to Brainerd where Erin and I spent some time working in her classroom. It's a lot of working putting rooms together and I am so glad I was able to help out. She says she isn't creative, but she is wrong. She has an adorable classroom and is one of the greatest teachers I know. I mean, how many teachers will dress up in a CRAB costume, write a song about crustaceans and sing to a bunch of 5th graders?? She is truly an inspiration to me!-- Maybe someday we can work together in a school..... that would be so much fun! Anyways- I spent a couple of nights there and then I met with Laura!

Lo and I went out for pizza one night, and then she came home for a haircut and we spent the day together. So- we spent time in her new fancy car, talking about nothing like we always do.... and then off to visit dad at work. Today my cousin Stacy and Dylan came out. Dylan is quite the entertaining 3 year old--very busy! We loaded up more of the junk from g&g's house, played oustide with Dylan, and I even managed to spend some time going through school stuff. Of course we ended our day with a trip to Moosebirds for an ice cream cone.
September is just around the corner. I definitely have school on the brain. I'm sure that my upcoming posts will have much to say about that!
Hope all is well!

So there.

Here' Jesse. This is also at my reunion. He was so happy he attended.?.

10 years already!

My class recently had our 10 year reunion. I can hardly believe that much time has passed. It was a lot of fun catching up with people I hadn't seen since graduation... and of course it's always fun to visit with those I see/hear from daily! We spent 2 nights together... chatting, dining, drinking and dancing... and I loved it! I am anxious for us to get together again... and hopefully it won't be another 10 years.

Not sure....

So- as I've tried to put pictures on here, I realize that this blogging-life might not be for me. I work at it for a few minutes, get frustrated, and then give up. I need Erin here. Now. Or maybe Amy, because she could at least reassure me that when I can't figure something out, I just need a bowl of ice cream.... that solves everything!
Amy- it's definitely time for you to start a blog! We can figure it out together. Over ice cream of course.

A BLOG???

OK- I give in. I can't believe that I am starting a blog. After many years of torturing my sister/brother-in-law about their nerdy computer lives, here I am beginning my own!So- here it is, a little glimpse into my life. Hopefully I can figure all this technology stuff out. As most of you know, I am totally not tech-savvy. However, the good news is-- Erin and Bill are.

Anyways- I'll try to update what's happening in my life ( not that it's really that exciting!)... and maybe someday I'll figure out how to put pictures on here.
Wish me luck!