I Did It

After spending 3 weeks procrastinating the dreaded disaster called my storage room, I managed to tackle the project head on today. It only took about 3 hours from start to finish--including the fact that I managed to drop and break three glass bottles with Coca-Cola in them. That consumed about 45 minutes of clean-up time, but even the floor got a thorough washing as a result! I even took everything over to the goodwill. It took two dropping off points, since the first would not accept a desk and chair I was giving away. (Not enough room in their truck, I guess.)

Anyway, the fact that I am a carload of goods and four trashbags lighter made it worth all the hastle.

I should have taken a before picture to give this true justice. Just know that I could hardly walk through the doorway since their was so much stuff piled up gathering dust. Hopefully, those goods that we are no longer in need of will become someone's treasure!

My New Lampshade

As I was scanning the web this afternoon, I looked up to see a new fashion for my lampshade. My little buddy of 16 years, decided to join my quest for the perfect destination. (I'm frequently looking for great vacation deals. Never seem to find them though!) I think he really wanted to get warm from the heat of the lamp, but I'd like to believe it was my stimulating kitty looks and gentle pats that were really keeping him entertained. Oh, just let me live in my fantasy world for a little while longer would you?!

Forrest, you'll always be my little buddy whether you want to be or not!

Crazy Weekend

What a weekend...

Had date night with my wonderful husband on Friday night. Saw Slumdog Millionaire, and confirmed that our part of the world is truly living in la la land. How many of us take for granted the wonderful things we own and just want more and more?!

Woke up at 4:28a.m. to the sounds of our ten year old saying, "Mom, my tummy hurts really bad." Spent the next hour visiting the bathroomfive times to make sure she was okay. Turned out to be nothing!

Drove to Monarch on Saturday morning to spend the day skiing with our two great kids. They really are amazing! It never ceases to amaze me much fun teaching our children new skills can be.

Went to church on Sunday and during our confessional, I was praying for guidance on how to share God's grace with those I love. (I don't want to be overbearing, but I know how much good God has brought to my family and just want to scream at times praising his name!) Not twenty minutes later Pastor Jim was talking about how often opportunities arise and we don't take advantage of them to allow others to see how God has affected our lives. (Creepy or Confirmation?!)

Bought a new vacuum and carpet cleaner in the afternoon. Didn't realize how much suction my vacuum had lost until I used the new one! As for the carpet cleaner? Well, I really didn't need a new one, but for the past four years ours was so loud you needed to wear earplugs when you used it. We never could figure out what happened. I think it was just God's way of teaching me to be happy with what I have. I really used the heck out of that machine. Now I will be passing it on to my friend, Pam, who will get to enjoy its sound. Oh yeah, she's deaf in one ear so it won't bother her quite as much! As for me, I am enjoying the peace and quite of the new one. So much for appreciating what I have and not wanting more and more! (I guess I have to keep working on that one.)

The Joys of Teaching

I must say I can't believe I have the best job on earth. Teaching. It can be so demanding and rigorous at times, but it surely is worth the reward. Yesterday, I worked for my job share partner and had one of the worst days ever. (It's hard to have bad days when you are only working 2-3 days per week!) Anyway, if it could go wrong it did. I was so frustrated with having to tell my students "I'd be happy to teach you when you are ready...I'll let you go to lunch when you show me you are ready. Please feel free to join me for recess when you are quiet...Let me know when it's time to learn...you get the point.) The barometric pressure must have been completely out of wack today. The kids were crazy. But in the end it was all worth it when one student said to me...(mind you this was the one who was behaving off the walls the most...)"Mrs. Mann, I promise I will be better tomorrow.

How can you not love this job. Kids are so innocent, even when they misbehave at times!

RollerBiking

So here's a first. I'm sure you've heard of rollerblading. And I know you've heard of biking. But RollerBiking?! As Caleb and Ema were enjoying the gorgeous weather we were having for a mid February day, they decided to create a new sport. Who knows...maybe it will be an Olympic competition someday!

It's Worth It

So for the past few months, I have not been as energetic about exercising or eating right. Blame it on the holidays, my work schedule, the lack of sunlight... The truth is I have just been lazy. So this week, I decided I needed to get back in the saddle and treat myself to a lifestyle that is based on being healthy. Not surprisingly, I have had more energy this week than I have in a very long time. It's worth getting up an extra 45 minutes early to have this energy. Today, I have exercised, showered, done two loads of laundry, made the beds, organized a messy drawer, checked my 3 email accounts and completed this blog page. And it's only 7:30in the morning. I think I need a nap...

It Was Worth Every Ounce of Sweat Equity!

As promised, Craig and I worked diligently Friday, Saturday and Sunday to build, paint, and hang the bookshelves over the desk. It was the final touch that we felt our new office needed. It just didn't feel complete. While we had a few changes to our original plans, it ended up turning out better than we had hoped. For our first project building furniture together, I am very happy with the results. Even though it took three weeks to complete plus a week of planning, it was definitely worth the end result. I simply couldn't find a desk that had three work stations, and the bookshelves are an added benefit Now I just have to find some things to put on them, since it basically doubled my storage space from what used to be in the room. That's the fun part though!

Nearing the End

For those of you that have been regular readers, you know that Craig and I have been diligently working on giving our study a facelift. All those home improvement shows we've been watching the past year have had the effect the home improvement stores hope for. The Mann's have surely given their fair share to Home Depot and Lowe's this past month! Anyway, we are getting very close to the end. Things are starting to take shape and we should be finished by the end of the weekend. Tonight we are planning on hanging some bookshelves above the desk, and then it's just a matter of putting up some decorating touches to make it feel like home. The desk is done and the kids are really enjoying their new work space. The chair arrived at the beginning of the week, and while it felt a little large at first, it really is a comfy place to read and hang out while others are working. To give you a sense of how far we have come, here's a glimpse of what we have so far. By the beginning of next week, it will be done!

Winter's Wonderful Surprise!

It amazes me how unpredictable Colorado winters can be. Just when I think I've got the rhythm, a surprise year is thrown into the loop! This year, it has been surprisingly warm. In fact, most recently, I am convinced it has been warmer than Florida or Arizona, where our family resides. Yesterday the dog and I basked in the the sun and enjoyed a leisurely afternoon walk. Today, I am going to update some furniture for the study with a fresh coat of paint! I usually only spray paint in the summer, but with the weather as nice as its been I know I must take full advantage of it. Besides...a cold front is coming in early next week, and I am sure we'll probably be buried knee deep in snow!