day 222

I worked in my classroom today and really didn't make too much headway. Here's what my desk area is looking like. Lots to do...

day 221

Carlisa invited me to join her at the City of Hope's Food & Wine Festival today in Coronado. It was a fundraiser/silent auction to support their cancer research. There were a number of restaurants offering tastes of their foods and wineries sampling their wines. These are some treats we really enjoyed from Cupcakes Squared - I actually had chocolate but these were prettier to photograph.

See more photos from the event here.

day 220

A vine has started to take over my picket fence. I'm not quite sure what kind it is yet but I'm enjoying watching it as it wraps itself around the posts.

day 219

Today I am thinking a lot about books. I am a bit of a collector and have lots of books in my classroom. Our school budget is very tight (thanks for those cuts in education, Govenator!) so we are not sure that we can buy bookcases, among other things. The opening of a school is all about highs and lows I am learning... today was a tough day and the end of a tough week. Tomorrow will be better.

day 218

This is a good example of why you should always check your work... I didn't have the camera set on auto-focus, was in a hurry and took only one shot. :/

We spent the whole day interviewing applicants for our teacher openings. While we did that, Erin F. organized a whole bunch of books that we acquired from a charter school that recently closed. The photo shows Erin in the middle of her organized mess of book piles.

day 217

I had to take Hershey to the vet this morning to have a bite just below her eye looked at. She got into it with Dan's dog, Sarah on Sunday (over a bone, I think.) I have been cleaning the cut out, hoping it would heal up on its own but last night it smelled awful. Sure enough, she's got an infection. She had to have a shot and is now on antibiotics. She gets very anxious at the vet and tries to bite anyone who touches her so that's the reason for the muzzle - which I hate, by the way. I always give her a sedative to make the experience a little easier on her but between the drugs and the muzzle, she just looked so pathetic. I felt terrible for her.

Photo taken with my Palm Treo phone.

day 216

I met Laurie this morning for breakfast at The Mission in Pacific Beach. I can't remember the last time I ate there but it was so great to be back. I had a really delicious quesadilla stuffed with scrambled eggs, bacon, green onion, tomatoes and salsa. It was a beautiful morning to be out at the beach and catch up with one of my very favorite people! Thanks Lolly - I love you!

day 215

We received the keys to our rooms at Mater Dei this morning and the big move in began! A whole bunch of parents came to help out. It was a LONG day but it's so exciting to finally be in and see the rooms start to take shape.

day 214

One of my summer favorites...

day 213

My dear friend Laurie hosted Bunco night at her house tonight. I haven't played in years and had forgotten how much fun it can be. We drank a lot of wine, had great food and lots of laughs.