9/7/2009 - Labor Day

And so, the project ends. I have a "plan" for sharing the "Summer Kneeds" photos with my class tomorrow, but this is the last shot from home, the last shot of summer vacation. I had thoughts of writing something profound, but really, finishing this project is making me a little sad, so we'll just end with this. Gwynn and I had a nice little "Goodbye Summer" cocktail hour (well, she had ice water) on the patio today, in the sun, with pina colada, cheese and crackers, and yummy coconut M & M's from Sue. It was a nice way to end...but keep looking for Foot pics now and then, as we've had WAY too much fun this summer to let them go completely! Farewell Feet!

9/3 Headed down to Mom and Dad to pick up the kids. Had to take this shot. A friend suggested that this project could sort of be a coffee table book. Humorously, though, I remembered being yelled at, repeatedly, in my childhood, to get my feet OFF the coffee table. Well, rules have since loosened at my parent's house, with the addition of grandchildren, and the aging of the coffee table too, I suppose, so, even MOM joined us in the debauchery this time! Feet on the SACRED COFFEE TABLE...what IS the world coming to?

9/4 A gorgeous last pool day at mom and dad's. Note, by pruning of toes, how much time we spent IN the water that day! Fun!

9/5 Headed from Lansing to St. Lawrence and family time at camp. This is my gorgeous niece Norah, wishing she could drink with the big girls! Someday, Norah, don't you worry! (WHY I cut off her feet I do not know...blame it on the margaritas!)

9/6 Today it was time to say goodbye to camp for another year, but Gwynn and Ellie and I took some time to reflect on a great summer whilst swinging in the hammock...ahhhh.

Sunday, September 6.
A day of errands with my girl. Finished at Riversend Bookstore. J said, " I thought you don't like that store, Mommy?" I told her that I don't like it if you are going there with something in mind (they never have it)...but to go and browse I do like it, very much. She picked out a Laurie Halse Anderson animal book, while I debated over Jennifer Weiner's newest. I decided to wait for it in paper back and chose MY LITTLE RED BOOK instead...in celebration of the 30th anniversary of my first period! Yea me!!!! And a reminder that I need to have that talk, with J...soon.

Saturday, September 5.
Did a lot of sitting around today. Relaxing, finishing my Olive book. Went to Rudy's for dinner and home to a crash of sadness, that it is almost all over.

Friday, September 4.
Morning errands checked off the list by my secretary, Jillian in the back seat. Lunch at Panera and then home early enough to enjoy the sun, my book and the pool. Of course nothing can be this perfect...a little wrench thrown into the fantasy with a message from school about a schedule change which now leaves me unprepared for my first day back with kids. But ya know what? Gotta roll with it...lower my standards...and ask myself, "Does it really matter?" No it does not. So I plan to spend the remaining 3 days NOT worrying about it...and just enjoying life!

Thursday, September 3.

Back to summer vacation. After morning errands and lunch to go, enjoyed the sunshine in the pool with Olive and Jillian. Just want to hold on to these last few days before change happens, and we are forced back into someone ...else telling us where to be, when and for how long.

Wednesday, September 2.
Ethan's birthday and back to school, or at least back to work for me, are sadly linked. The year he was born was to be my "first day back" and once in a while I get to escape it and actually enjoy his day with a little more summer after even. This was supposed to be one of those years, as Labor day is as late as it can possibly be. But Oh, No...we had to scrape together 2 extra work days in order to get our much needed Feb break, so this random day was chosen. In the end it all worked out and Ethan had a great day, and mine wasn't so bad. Looking forward to summer vacation for 5 more days now!

9/2 So today was it, Less than Super Day....and I survived, even enjoyed myself for the most part, having a nice (free) breakfast and lunch, and chatting with people I haven't seen all summer. My room is pretty much ready to go. Note the NEW Judy Blume series on my desk? SO psyched for those! Note as well that my room is so nice and neat and clean and then, all too soon, those KIDS are gonna come mess it up:) I guess the school year can begin, must begin, but NOT until I have enjoyed my LAST 5 DAYS OF SUMMER! May they be stupendous!

Tuesday, September 1.

Back in to school to set up the classroom. When all was said and done, I took a seat on the rug, as all my students are instructed to do upon entering my class. Took a look around at what will be my classroom for the last yea...r. Very sad. I love this room. It is home...it is happy....

9/1 Such a sad photo. It feels like this project is coming to an end. FIrst of all SOCKS, second of all, SCHOOL WORK spread out before me, finally SAD PUPPY who goes back to days alone looks on. Fall and school need to come, and I am excited for a new school year, but sad just the same.