"A List"- Day 14

I am thinking this prompt is meant to spark people on your "A list," but being a teacher with time to do a few things since I have 6 days off before I head back for a few days, I am more about "a list" of things to do...finish scrubbing the deck so I can stain/seal it for the first time in way too many years (and pondering whether I can replace some boards on my own, which I think I can...); painting door and window trim out front- first time in 13.5 years; and scraping rust/painting front stairwell rails for the first time probably ever (I won't count the time I took some leftover spray paint from a project and sprayed over rust stains, and got some on the house, which is still there); and, weeding what used to be a garden ten years ago...still never got around to planting grass so every year it is an enormous weed jungle.  Determined to get to the dump and Goodwill too.  I'd say I am cleaning out whatever is under these couches (old frames and whatnot) but that isn't going to happen...possibility of finally moving the shelf from the bedroom to the basement, but that is one of those jobs that to do it you have to do like three other jobs with it so alas, that probably isn't going to happen either! Number one job- some time with my kids!  Have a date with her to do some college shopping, don't wanna wait til everyone else is doing it (unfortunately by then I am pretty much back at work) and want her to get excited and maybe it will inspire her to behave all summer (I can wish)!  I would love a night on the deck with a fire in the chimnea but alas, this is Maryland, where we go from 40 degrees to 85 degrees and no nights in between for such things, unless you want to roast yourself!

Day 13- "Seven"

Well...it is what time I set my alarm for, knowing the kids don't have to wake up and I don't have to drive anyone to school, but of course I woke on my own at 5:15...so I will turn that into I got relish in the peacefulness of my home (my home is usually peaceful so really I just got up and wasted time here and on Pinterest, etc.).  It is also the size of my family, excluding myself, that I am planning the beach trip for...three more weeks!  & alas, after my "last day" Monday it is how many weekdays until I will be back at work, planning ahead for next year!  Oh, and I just noticed, it is how many hours until this year's kiddos roll out and our teachers close out another great year!

Day 12- "Tight Knit"

“There is no such thing as a "broken family." Family is family, and is not determined by marriage certificates, divorce papers, and adoption documents. Families are made in the heart. The only time family becomes null is when those ties in the heart are cut. If you cut those ties, those people are not your family. If you make those ties, those people are your family. And if you hate those ties, those people will still be your family because whatever you hate will always be with you.” 

― C. JoyBell C.

I don't know who this person is but I saw this and couldn't say it better.  To see our party come together with my family from here and NC, her father's family from here, her stepmother's family from Baltimore, and "his" parents from PA, including step siblings, step aunts/uncles/cousins/grandparents/ and a great grandparent...it was incredible to see the support these kids have.  We are blessed their step families welcomed them like they were their own, and I am fortunate my parents have done the same for my step children.  We are so far from broken...

"Dappled Light"- Day 10

One of my son's photos from the photography class he took, he didn't want to take the class but had to take an arts class. I told him this would be the best for him out of the choices, just knowing how he is.  In the beginning it was like pulling teeth to get him to have an ounce of creativity and put in the effort.  By the end he loved the class, finished projects ahead of time, and actually enjoyed researching a photographer, he picked a war photographer. This was the first ones he looked at and was really excited about, they were working on darkness with lights in different places.  Now he willingly grabs my camera that was a bit imposing before and he knows just what to do, so there was some confidence building too!  

"Collection"- Day 11

One of the great things about motorcycle riding with him is not always knowing where we will end up, especially in the earlier days when he was first discovering a different side of riding since he had a passenger. When it is just him it is all about the sport and speed.  With me he slows some, but he is more likely to stop at places he never would if I weren't along, places he never noticed.  We stumbled upon this one day and it just made me laugh so hard because who makes an elephant museum outside of Gettysburg?  Here you are in the midst of Civil War central and then - boom!- elephant museum! It even has an interesting history.  Wouldn't you love to just have such a collection that you could open up a curious little museum and shop and just live your life???  Most people who, like me, grew up within an hour of it have never heard of it!

Sweet Breezes- Day 9

...something about the way my niece's hair is blowing ever so slightly here...

"Soul Full" ~ Day 8

Hope to add pictures later, but without a doubt a day my soul is full...her graduation/18th birthday party.  I have never had to prepare for so many people and I hope I have enough and did it right.  Doing it at a venue other than home when you are doing it yourself is a bit stressful to say the least.  The great part is family is her from North Carolina, and she has family from both sides and both step parents, which is a first and it is nice to see that after all of the turmoil of ten years ago she is where she is and surrounded by these people.  Most of her friends will be there, and while one special one cannot be I am hopeful she will not have time to think about it.  I love my girl like crazy and want it to be perfect for her.  I am also glad my son is simpler and I might be able to get away with a come, have some cookies and a drink, then leave kind of graduation party.  My car looks like it is puking party right now!  I am grateful for the help I will have to set up...I don't know why I fret as I do given I have made a to scale map of the entire venue with set up labeled, diagrams for the food, etc. etc. etc...it is going to be a long but beautiful day (thank goodness it isn't raining since it is in a park!)!