Rockin' away

Yes folks, I did it. I went to school again Monday morning. At least this time I could drink my coffee leisurely and go for a run before heading there. It was nice to have it on my time. I went for two hours and painted more paw prints. I'm trying to motivate myself to head that way again this morning. This summer cold I have acquired is putting a slight delay in the process.
Yesterday afternoon, I went with my friend Anna to meet her mom for dinner. Her mom is up in the Montreat area for the week, so we met her and another lady for dinner in Black Mountain. As we pulled into the parking lot next to the restaurant there sat this enormous red rocking chair. Luckily I had put my camera in my purse at the last minute. So, after dinner we jumped in the chair for a rockin' picture to remember our evening in Black Mountain!

Cook-out

After spending two days in a workshop and one day in a planning session I was ready for summer to officially begin. What did I do? Walked in the morning, took recycling, then went to school! I know, absurd right?! One of the teams got the brilliant idea to paint paw prints all over the walls of the school so I went for about 2 hours and helped paint. I did get a free lunch out of the deal and some time away from the classroom with other teachers. What do I have planned for Monday? You guessed it. Walking then painting at school for a few hours. What is wrong with me?!
Friday I was able to stay away by having lunch with another teacher I used to work with and attempting a pool trip. I went with Crystal and her boys to the pool. Owen and I were almost at the edge when they blew the whistle because of thunder. After sitting under the covered part for 30 minutes and watching the lightening get closer, we asked for our money back and left. They couldn't give our money back, but gave us a free pass. So we are hoping to try again on Tuesday. It was fun to hang out with the kids though!
Saturday was spent grocery shopping and mowing the grass before watching Team USA give it their all. I headed over to Anna and Blair's house to watch the end of the game before everyone came over for the cook-out that we have been trying to have since the end of April! There were an awful lot of dark clouds and thunder looming around us, but luckily it cooled things off and passed with out dumping rain on us making for a cooler night to sit outside with friends. I only got a few pictures before my camera battery died. The boys enjoyed playing "hide-n-seek", the girls enjoyed gabbing, and the three guys enjoyed getting to know each other better. It was a wonderful way to get summer started!

Flashback

Since I couldn't go home to see my dad, I decided to join my friends for some 80's music! The Breakfast Club was coming into town and a group of us decided to dance the night away. We decided that dressing up could only make this night perfect and we thought everyone would have the same idea. Between Wal-Mart, Goodwill, and Ross I came up with a black lace mini skirt, leggings, fake converse, jelly bracelets, bright purple earrings, and a tank top that I'll wear again! The best part is all together is was pretty cheap! So, eight of us met up in downtown for dinner before walking to the show and meeting up with the rest of the group. Of course we received many stares before, during, and after dinner to which I'm sure many visitors to the area thought we were part of the "Asheville freaks". This of course just made it that much more fun! Apparently we were about the only ones that had the idea to dress-up! When we walked in, the stares were worse hinting that they secretly wanted to join our party! I bet next time there is a show there will be more people dressed the part! We danced and laughed the night away!

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My Daddy

Happy Father's Day to my sweet dad. I agreed to dog-sit for my neighbors this weekend and upcoming week so I will be going home in a week to celebrate late with dad. For now, a phone call will have to do. I love you dad. Love, Prisspot

Big Steps

During workdays this week, I decided it was time to really test Pattie. So, each morning when I left for work Pattie was left out in the house. She has made it up to 5 1/2 hours so far but this would take her to 8+ hours by herself. I opened the blinds to the sliding glass door and the big open window in the front room in hopes the squirrels, birds, and bunnies would hold her attention. It worked! For three straight days, Pattie stayed in the house by herself! Two of those nights, I came home for about an hour before leaving again for another 3+ hours. She's growing up! Thursday night Pattie and I went walking in the woods with Anna, her dog Clemson, Ann, and her dog Chloe. Halfway through the walk, Anna decided to test Clemson off the leash. He did great and even got in the water with the girls! What a grown-up week for these pups!
Last night Chloe came to stay with us and Pattie had another episode. Lesson learned...keep Pattie on the leash or shock collar! After Chloe arrived, I took both pups over to play with Clemson while Anna and I got our 80's outfits for tonights' music together. Today I will be in charge of 4 dogs while my neighbors are on vacation and until Chloe gets picked up. Luckily their yard is one big fenced in fun zone so all four pups will be in there while I mow the grass. All next week Pattie gets to play with them so hopefully she will be one happy pup! (the first picture is of the pups after the walk and was taken with Anna's cell phone, sent to me on Facebook where I saved the picture to my computer. I can't get it any bigger. The second picture is last night from my cell phone of Pattie and Chloe passed out together!)

Out with the old...

Out with the old= me
In with the new= Anna
And so my reign ends. I turned over my parking spot to my dear friend Anna on Monday. I arrived at school early to decorate the sign with balloons so she would know the close spot now belonged to her. During our cook-out that day, I brought a little bag of tricks. After traveling with her and Blair down to Charleston in March, I learned a few secrets about Anna's past. For starters, she was Miss South Point so I made her a TOY sash. Another secret learned was about Anna once being a sock model. So, I found some fun socks at Wal-Mart just for the occasion. In addition to this attire, I wrote on and passed along the TOY hat. This tradition was started seven years ago. The current TOY writes a message on the beanie hat and passes it along to the next legacy. So, I no longer hold the title of reigning TOY but instead have happily passed this honor on to my friend. I'll miss that spot during rain showers and cold weather! Congratulations Anna!

Until We Meet Again

This has been the week for saying goodbyes. My friends Hollie, Ben, and their two boys decided the week after Memorial Day they would be moving back to Greensboro. Since their house never sold, they are just moving right back in. It's a great move for them, but we will certainly miss them up here! Tuesday night Lauren, Ann, Hollie, and I went out for one last dinner before the final move. Luckily they'll be back some this summer.
Wednesday afternoon we gathered at Abby's house after school for one last hoorah! Marian, Harriet, and Martha will all be retiring this year. I will miss them all, but especially my "aunt" Marian. It's still not real to me and I know it will hit me next August when I step through the doors without her. She will be missed in the hallways but I know she will enjoy her time away!

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HOT!

Once I got in my car today and started to leave work, I looked down to see this picture:I could have sworn that I lived in the cooler climate of the mountains! I can't imagine what some of you are experiencing right now! Luckily it did cool down to a comfortable 90 by the time I got home!

It's Done!

Friday afternoon ended the school year! No more tying shoes, opening milk cartons, listening to tattling, or hearing whining until August 25th. However, I will miss bear hugs, random funny sayings, and making me laugh daily; but I think I can find something to keep my mind off that for the summer! Friday afternoon a group of us from school headed to the Black Rose for drinks and appetizers to celebrate. This event followed our impromptu dance party we had in the front office where we did the electric slide, the cupid shuffle, and let the three retirees dance down our line to Celebration! I came home that afternoon and enjoyed another cocktail with Ann while the pups ran crazy around the yard.
Saturday morning, I met up with some friends to run a race. Ann sent out an e-mail last week trying to get some friends to sign up for the Run for Kids Sake 5k at Warren Wilson college. It supported the Boys and Girls Club of the area so I signed myself up. The course went through the streets of the campus, back into trails along the creek, and snaked it's way back to the starting line. I had heard that this campus was pretty but had never made my way out there. It was not my best time, but I enjoyed running. Brad, Ann, Justin, and I enjoyed our snacks after the race then headed back to our houses. Maybe next year Maggie can run the race with us! I will certainly keep this race in mind for next June!
The afternoon was spent showering and running errands before meeting Ann and Brad to watch USA play England. We decided to just hang at their house which was great for the pups. Pattie and Chloe played together while we cheered on the USA! Pattie and I headed over to Jon and Caitlin's house after the game. Caitlin's birthday was Friday so they were having a cook-out to celebrate. Pattie and their puppy Brutus played together while the adults enjoyed fish tacos and cocktails. We made our way back to Ann and Brad's house around 8:30 so I could drop off Pattie. We left the dogs together in the house to play while we headed downtown for Wendy's going away party. In two weeks, she will be joining the Peace Corps in China to work and teach. She had quite a good turnout of people gathered to wish her well. After dropping Ann off and picking up my tired puppy, we got home after midnight. I crashed and actually slept until 9:45! Well, I woke up at my normal 5:40 time and was in and out of sleep until 9:30. My body needed some good rest! Now it's on to relaxing today!

Sweet 16 times two

Yes folks, you read correctly. I turned 32 yesterday and it was a fabulous day! I'm thinking I might enjoy my 30's more than my 20's. 29 was a hard number for me to digest, but it has continued to get better with each new number. I'm almost having more fun now then I did in my 20's and maybe that's not saying much!
My birthday was spent at school teaching six year olds. Well, let's back up. What kind of teaching do you think really happened on the 178th day of school?! We had water day all morning, lunch outside, played outside, and ate cookie cake topped with a good 1 1/2 to 2 inches worth of whipped icing; my favorite! After school, 15 of us gathered at Blue Sky for dinner! Maggie called ahead and they actually reserved 3 tables on the patio for us. I've never had reserved seating at my birthday before! Crystal, with the help from Owen, made lemon pudding cupcakes which were divine! I brought home 3 extras which I am savoring. Mandi and Ryan also brought a cookie cake which was also might tasty! I had 2 desserts Tuesday night, brownie topped with ice cream and strawberries at lunch, cookie cake with icing for snack, then a cupcake and a few bites of another cookie cake after dinner. I certainly "had my cake too"! Last year's birthday was quite enjoyable, but this year proved to be even better! I am certainly lucky to have such wonderful friends with which to celebrate!

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Birthday Weekend

My sweet mother came up Saturday morning to spend some time with me for my birthday. Dad actually offered too but mom knew he wouldn't enjoy the window shopping, leisurely lunch, and girlie movie time so much. I'll take a trip home the end of June to see him for late Father's day and we can catch up then. After mom arrived Saturday morning, we headed to a consignment shop on our way to Tupelo Honey for lunch...yum! The afternoon was spent shopping (mostly looking) and stopping for ice cream before taking Pattie for a walk. That evening, we made a pineapple and pepperoni pizza at home before popping in a movie, Valentine's Day. Sunday morning, mom made me chocolate chip pancakes (I realize I'm five and I'm okay with it) before we headed to church. We enjoyed a salad from Zaxby's while enjoying Up In The Air. Shortly after the movie, mom headed back down the mountain. What a great way to celebrate!
I'm never truly celebrated a birthday week, but this year has turned into one:
Tuesday: summer brew
Wednesday: chocolate milkshake and hamburger from Cook-out
Thursday: pulling weeds...it's free therapy
Friday: reading a People magazine (after cleaning!)
Saturday: hanging with my mom enjoying a bloddy mary
Sunday: chocolate pancakes
Monday: trail run with Ann and Chloe
Tuesday: hanging out at my friend Anna's house
I'm thinking of doing this every year! :)