BBG-So sorry to hear about your mother's illness. Will be praying for her & you. God Bless.

Just popping in for a quick minute to let you know that I'm still here and doing fine.

My day of remembrance for Rob was nice. I lit his memorial candle as soon as I got up in the morning and only blew it out when I went over to the lake for the balloon release. It actually turned out to be a no balloons, bubble blowing release instead because there was no helium delivered to town so there were no balloons to be had. I had to resort to the only thing that I thought would be similiar and that was bubbles. So, we headed to the lake to Rob's favorite fishing spot, blew thousands of bubbles, wrote messages in the sand to him and took tons of pictures. Surprisingly, I shed very few tears. It really was more of a celebration day.

Since then, I've just been super busy with work. It hasn't been too terribly bad though because after a few years under my belt with the school, I've finally got a semi-routine going for the start of the school year. I'm leading the 5th grade language arts team this year so I've been getting that organized in addition to my students and my class. And, I still have time to do some personal reading, go swimming with DD and spent the entire day yesterday with my mom and my sister. It's quite unusual for me to have "ME" time during August so it's really nice and very necessary. It's helped my sanity tremendously.

DD starts college courses Tuesday and then her final year of high school courses start the following week. Then, I will be back to being "bus driver" for her getting her to all of her various activities.

And, the good news is we've survived another summer with no income due to more creative financing. I'm so glad that I'm good at that! With my first check in September, I will start paying DD back the money she lent me for the last month. And, we are also going to begin saving so that we can take a road trip to visit different colleges she's interested in. We hope to be able to do that in November when I have a week off from school.

That's the latest....still working on that Survive August goal.

Bubblegum: So sorry to hear about your DM's illness. Hope the road ahead will be as smooth as possible for you. (((HUGS)))

Carol
Glad to hear your remembrance day was a celebration! Good for you.

Glad you are also finding ME time. It is important! Great on the money too, along with starting the year so smoothly.
Good going GONer!

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Finished another scarf last night. Babysteps.

Bubblegum - More ((HUGS)) from me I know it is difficult sending prayers to you and your mum.

Carol - The remembrance day sounded lovely.

Well I have been busy pottering about. Sunday would of been nans birthday so after a visit to the cemetery my aunt put on an Olympic games barbecue (as it was the last day of the games, and to cheer us all up).

We had a mini Olympic games and I won gold for egg catching. The twist was my egg was raw so the last time I caught it and it slipped out of my hand it broke. Very messy! but great fun

Working hard on work-related items:
-updating references
-updating resume
-updating cover letter
-updating teaching portfolio

Well DD2 and family left today for their vacation. It was wonderful having them here. We had a great and relaxing time.

Have vacuumed and mopped the floors, did the laundry, and started gathering up items to take with me next week.

Tomorrow I will mark all my sales items for the garage sale at the store.

Have a Stampin Up demo tomorrow here. Good way to motivate me
to clean up after the kid's visit!

Update on list:

CRAFTS;
Embroidery/ongoing
Beading Ornaments/ongoing or jewelry/ Made 3 bracletsCrocheting /Sewing: Lap robes for Vets and Hospice/ Christmas items
Card making/ongoing
Knitting for christmas/ongoing 20-8 done = 12 to go

PERSONAL
Read a book
Luncheon
DD2 and family overDONE
Invite Niece over for dinner
DS1 housesit
Dentist /DONE
Haircut
Sort thru crafting items for garage sale/DONE
Drop off at store
Crocheting group/Weekly
Unfinished Project group/ twice a month
Special card making session here
Classes /2

HOUSE:
Pupa in garage DONE
Branches each week WORKING AS I CAN
ROTM: Basement/Baby steps continue DONE
Photo boxes/ Postponed until Winter
water plants

Quick Update:

Soccer cleats bought (first practice last night)
Pictures scheduled for September
Supply lists are going to the store with me at lunch
DS's birthday party invitations have been mailed

My pedometer's battery died right after my big hike on Monday so need to pick up a battery for that today. Curious to see how many miles I rack up walking out on the flats at the beach.

August Goals:
*WoO rehearsals
*WoO play
*birthday party
~ birthday gifts/cards
*make end of summer bucket list
*back to school shopping
*work on new routines
*clear desk of personal correspondence
*send out pictures

Bubblegum: ((HUGS))