ahhhhh, the beach

The beach was awesome. I love the condo complex we stayed in. This is our second time there and it truly is one of the best spots in Destin. Great beach, nice place, not crowded...perfect. I had coffee every morning down by the water and spent the morning reading under an umbrella listening to the waves crash. I spent the afternoons on the balcony. It was lovely. Perfect. I'm ready to go back!!

I read two books while I was away. I had planned on reading what was on my Nook, but the oldest left the device on the floor of the guest room at my folks' house. So, it was off to Books a Million where I bought the latest and final Sookie Stackhouse book.

I liked it. I'm not sure what all the hullabaloo is about except some readers apparently feel that it is there right to tell the author how she should handle her characters. Look, when they've published as much as Harris has, and have put in the time and effort to write that many books, maybe they can complain about the ending. But, really, do they really need to get that nasty? They need to get a life. Was it my favorite book in the series? No. Was it a fun read? Yes? I was entertained. And that is what it is all about for me.

So, we say farewell to the barmaid from Bon Temps and I say "Thank You!!" to Charlaine Harris for providing me hours upon hours of entertainment.

I also read a Miss Julia novel that was left in the condo. Ann B. Ross writes this Southern cozy series featuring the ever proper Miss Julia. This time she is off to Florida to get back some jewelry that was stolen from her home and from others in her town. Hijinks. That is what Miss Julia is all about and this entry in the series didn't disappoint.

Off to work today. I'd rather be getting ready to hit the beach....but, it will be there the next time we can make the trip to Destin.

awards

I'm wondering what award the boy is going to be given this morning? The middle school awards ceremony used to be so neat at the old school's auditorium. Having the ceremony in the new school's gym just lacks a certain pizzazz, but that is where I'm headed today.

In other breaking news, he has decided not to play in the band and instead will take a forensics class and join the speech and debate team.

Fine. By. Me. We told him he had to 'join' something, and getting involved with the debate team might be a good thing for him.

I emailed his counselor, who just finished being Abbey's counselor and she made the change. Easy-peasy.

So, no summer band camp. That will make all our lives a bit easier.

Looks like our weather will be Brilliant while we are at the beach. Sooooo excited!!

Last day of my work week...better get to it! Happy Memorial Day! Be back a week from tomorrow!!

keep on keeping on

I finally hauled myself into the doctor yesterday and was diagnosed with a sinus infection. Yep, could have told you that without the 3 x-rays of my head. So, I'm on another round of antibiotics. Fourteen days this time. Let's see if that can't knock this crap out!!

Tornadoes!! Ugh!! As a child in Illinois, I remember going to our basement when the sirens would go off. I remember seeing houses under construction look like someone had taken a huge rock and smashed them to smithereens after a tornado went through.  My heart breaks for the people in Oklahoma.

I went into work a half hour early yesterday and will again today and tomorrow to bank time to take off for the boy's awards ceremony. My coworker returns from her vacation today. She spent a week at the beach with her hubby after finishing her master's degree this month. Hope she doesn't come back to too much of a mess as our boss is the one who 'worked' on the journals while she was away. Sometimes that can be a real disaster.

The executive director came over late yesterday to congratulate us on the second issue of the magazine. She especially liked the big picture of the 'hunky' keynote speaker for our national meeting. She does enjoy a nice looking man! lol

Off to read the paper....and get ready for the day. I do feel better today after just one dose of the medicine. I took my second pill just a few minutes ago. I hope by tomorrow I am well and truly on the mend. It has been a rough spring for my overall health, something I'm not really used to.

Off I go! Tuesday, here I come!

three days and out

Only three days of work this week then VACATION!! Whoop!!

So excited to head to Florida and see my folks and hit the beach. Ahhhh, that first cup of coffee surf side is one of my favorite things in life. I can't wait.

The middle kid is already on her way down there with her friend and that family. We will meet them and collect her next weekend.

Graduation weekend is all over. The actual ceremony clocked in at just over an hour. The speeches were short and to the point. The announcer read a name off every 3 seconds. They moved through those 465 kids in rapidly and got us all out of there. We had dinner at the local Italian bistro hubby and I went to for our anniversary. I had some amazing ravioli and their "gravy" was phenomenal. Good times.

This week we have the son's awards ceremony and his graduation from 8th grade. Wow. Off to high school he goes in August. He will have band camp this summer. Our days as soccer parents are truly good and over.

It was a crazy, busy, emotional weekend. We are on the roller coaster now.....well into the ride....exciting stuff!

Happy Monday.

hey, hey, two today

Those hours spent writing scholarship essays paid off for the second daughter. She walked out with a Leadership Scholarship given in honor of our past principal and a departmental scholarship given in honor of a former U.S. History teacher!! Ironically, her sister also won this Leadership scholarship last year.

Hey, Hey, Two Today!

She also received other awards for her work in Art and AP Environmental Science.

It was so neat to see her efforts recognized. Now all that is left is to walk across the stage Saturday afternoon.

Up for tonight is the boy's final middle school band concert. Wow. We received his schedule confirmation for next year. Back to the beginning. We get to do the high school thing one more time.

The cold is manageable today. But, I had trouble sleeping last night with all the cold meds in my system.

Got a kudos from the Exec. Director on the PowerPoint shows I put together for her. They worked great, went well, and she was happy. Whew. I was worried about the one she took with her to New Zealand...gave me nightmares!! I dreamed the embedded videos didn't work.

The weekend is coming. Let the festivities begin!

up and moving

I am up and moving today, slowly, but moving. Off to work I go. I should be a quiet day. My boss kept me entertained yesterday by playing Words with Friends non stop....and complaining how quiet it was there. "How are you feeling?" was his most comment text. Guess he doesn't like being in our corner of the office all by himself!! lol

Happy Wednesday.

crashing halt

Burning eyes. Check.
Pounding head. Check.
Stuffy then drippy nose. Check.
Body aches. Check.
Overall feeling of misery. Check.
Scratchy, sore throat. Check.

I managed to get the mother of all head colds somewhere. This girl is not going to work today and "toughing it out." I have to get some rest, drink hot lemon tea, and kick this bug out of my system pronto so I can enjoy the rest of our very busy week.

Back to bed.