A Little Craft Project

I've had a nice, relaxing weekend, with not too much schoolwork to do. That's one of the benefits of a new school term because I don't have essays to grade yet. It takes a couple weeks before we get done writing one and the grading frenzy begins. So, I spent most of yesterday afternoon working on a craft project, creating an organizer to holder papers and pens on my desk downstairs. I purchased this plain white organizer from a scrapbook store in Fort Collins...




And then covered the whole thing in paper and embellishments and added some photos to get this final product...

I've also been busy baking this weekend. I used some leftover bread that I didn't want to go to waste to make a batch of bread crumbs and then still had bread so I made an apple bread pudding. Then, I made homemade cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting yesterday. Mike has made a big pot of ham and bean stew and a fresh loaf of bread for dinner today too, so we are eating well.

I spent 1.5 hours at the dog park this morning with Aspen too. The bad news is that it was very muddy. The good news is that the city is putting down mulch to deal with the mud. While we were there, the Sheriff's Work Crew arrived with wheelbarrows, rakes, and a truckload of mulch and started hauling it in and spreading it around. Most of the other dogs were content to play elswhere and ignore the workers, but Aspen was fascinated and kept trying to sneak out the gate when they opened it for the wheelbarrows. As a result, they had to assign one man from the workcrew just to stand and guard the gate to sheperd Aspen away and let the wheelbarrows through...They were all laughing and making jokes about my dog and her attempts to "break out," which is ironic given that the workers weren't exactly voluntary themselves.

Anyway, looking forward to a couple more lazy hours this afternoon and then I will have to turn my attention toward preparing for the week...Have a good week everyone.

Update

Well, the second trimester is over! I'm 2/3 done with another school year, and only 1 more term to go! I've been grading papers like crazy, but now for a couple of days I don't have anything to grade...if only that would last!

It's been snowing off and on again here, but the good news is that it's starting to warm up slightly during the days. Enough to form icicles on the gutters during the day, which come crashing down outside the back patio door at least once a day.

I've been fighting a cold this week in addition, so it's been a challenge, but I'm starting to feel better finally. And, it's only two weeks until spring break!

Happy Valentine!

Happy Valentine's day everyone....It's a cold, clear day in Colorado, but everyone is going to have a good day hopefully. The city of Loveland was featured during CBS's Sunday Morning show this week to discuss our Valentine's hearts displays and remailing programs, so that was cool.

Mike and I actually celebrated yesterday with a lovely seafood feast at Pappadeaux's in Westminster and some window shopping. Lobster, calamari, crawfish foundeaux, all sorts of good foods, and we have enough left over for dinner tonight too! Today, it's back to work for me grading papers and Mike has a concert today. Hope you all enjoy your day!

This, that, and wedding invitations

I know I've been neglecting my blog lately, but it's been a busy couple of weeks. And, let's face it, my life is just not that interesting. I've been a work-a-holic these last two weeks, spending many late nights at school because of conferences (10 extra hours of talking to parents this month!), yearbook deadlines, and trying to learn some new technology I got through a grant. Then, I've been spending my time at home making wedding invitations for Lesa. I've never made so many of the same design before.

In addition, it was with sadness that we learned this week of the passing of my Uncle Bill and Owen Richieleiu, a dear friend of Mike's parents, so I've made some sympathy cards this week as well. We certainly have these families in our thoughts.

Then, Mike's truck broke down on the way home from work Wednesday night, so that certainly complicated our lives--and took a hit on our pocketbook--for a few days. But, he has his truck back now, complete with a new fuel pump and battery. Then today, we spent what money we had left ordering new windows for the house, since our house is so drafty and non-energy efficient. I know we need them and that it will help our heating bills tremendously, but I have to say I just can't get excited about this purchase. Yes, they will be nice to have, but they just aren't fun to shop for. I was struck by how much shopping for windows is similar to shopping for a new car, complete with very attentive salemen, viewing of models, and paperwork sessions.

I am enjoying the smell of fresh bread baking in the oven right now! Mike has been on a kick lately, with bread making every weekend. Which, I certainly appreciate. Imagine a husband who bakes! Last week's bread had good flavor but was a little too dense. It certainly appears that Mike has overcome that problem successfully this week. Take a look at this beauty...I can't wait to try it!

Weekend Comings and Goings

Spent Saturday running errands, grocery shopping, and trying on dresses at David's bridal and sending pictures to Lesa by cellphone so that she could pick the one she liked. Here's the one I ended up purchasing, but not in this color. Lesa and Colin have chosen a clover green. Then, I ran around buying materials to make wedding invitations for Lesa nad Colin. Didn't actually get any invitations made...that has to happen too.

Today, I've been grading papers, making lesson plans, and I visited two different dentists for a cleaning and adjustment to my braces. All in all, not a very exciting weekend, although a very busy one.

I was trying to think of a more interesting topic for my blog, but I couldn't come up with one, and wanted to write something...I always feel guilty when I don't post for more than a week. I have become endebted to my blog for time now, and hear it calling my name. As if I didn't have enough to do without inventing new responsibilities for myself, but of course, I also enjoy writing here. My Wii Fit is the same way. I like it, but when I miss a day, it chides me. The thing talks and reminds me that I'm not going to meet my goal if I don't do it every day. I'm now getting a guilt trip from my technology! This picture is somehow flawed. Makes me avoid my exercise routine even more because I can't handle the pressure :).

Birthday Weekend Photos!

Here are some pictures from our day in Estes Park. We had fun snowshoeing with Aspen and then had an amazing dinner at the Chalet Room at Mary's Lake Lodge...oyster rockerfeller, lobster bisque, and ciopinno. Yum!-I do love seafood.

The half-way mark has been reached!

We are officially over with the first half of the school year now, and I think it is going by extremely fast. The kids, sadly, do not agree. They profess to be very upset to return to school, but I think many of them are secretly happy to be back. We've been back to school all week, and we are getting back into the routine of things slowly.

Plus, it's been really cold here (-12 for a low and +12 for a high), and we have snow that's just not melting and then more added to it yesterday, so it's hard to want to be outside.

I don't have too much to report right now. Tomorrow is my 30th birthday, so I guess that should be a big deal, but I'm still going to work. We are going to go up to Estes Park Saturday to celebrate a little bit, so that will be nice. I will have to post pictures after the weekend.