Thanks Erik, Colette and Eli

Several months ago for my birthday Erik, Colette and Eli sent me a gift certificate for Red Lobster and tonight I redeemed my certificate as Lee, Katie and I ventured out to our local Red Lobster Restaurant for a seafood delight! I hadn't had lobster for years, decades maybe, and Katie has never eaten lobster until tonight, and couldn't wait to try it.

Eating lobster brought back memories from my childhood when as a family, we traveled to Maine and watched fisherman catch lobster from the Atlantic. We then ate fresh lobster and were taught all the skills necessary to get all of that yummy meat out of its shell. I don't know if I've ever tasted lobster that good since, but it sure loved eating lobster tail once again. Katie and I shared the Ultimate Seafood Platter, that included lobster of course, crab legs, and shrimp. I was in seafood heaven! And Katie discovered that she too enjoys lobster. Lee enjoyed steak and grilled shrimp.

Katie of course was enthralled with the lobsters in the tank as you walked in the door and when an employee came to catch one to cook she managed to make friends with him and Mr. Lobster. Go figure - some things never change! Like the time she helped some woman play the drums at a restaurant in Arizona, her older siblings were mortified, but she was in music heaven.

Back on topic … we all enjoyed the atmosphere, food and very nice service. So thanks Erik, Colette and Eli for a wonderful birthday treat in July!

Girls Camp Crafts Time - Fun!

I know this is crazy - I haven't posted in months and now I've posted three days in a row. Why you may say - well I guess it's because I've learned that it isn't that hard to do and it doesn't take that long. I taught myself how to download pictures from my camera and upload it to this blog. Pretty cool, huh! (Aha, the joys of being a teacher and having the summer off!)

Another reason that I haven't posted frequently in the past was that I wasn't sure that what I had to say is all that interesting - perhaps that it isn't, but I enjoy reading other people's blogs, so maybe whoever reads this might enjoy knowing a little about me and how I spend my days. At least my mom and dad seem to enjoy my ramblings. Thanks mom and dad!

Well today wasn't a pool day for us, but I enjoyed preparing this craft for girls camp. I hope the girls think it's fun. I think it's kinda cute. The girls can write their favorite camp memories on the tags.

It's goin' rain, it's not goin' to rain, it's going to rain, it's not goin' to rain?

Last night, Tom Skilling, our WGN TV weather man, said that we had a high chance of thunderstorms this afternoon. Katie and I talked about going to the pool today but were uncertain due to the weather report. But when Katie got home from summer school, the sun was shinning so we put on our swimsuits and drove to our neighborhood pool at Philips Park.

We were so thrilled when we got there that the pool didn't seem crowded. In fact it looked like hardly anyone was in the pool. When we got in the pool, we discovered that actually no one was in the pool. Under further inquiry we found out that someone had an "accident" in the pool and they were "shocking" the pool to sanitize it and that the pool was closed for about a half of an hour.

Well the pool reopened for swimming after being sanitized and Katie went in for a brief dip and decided that she would like to play in her favorite place at the pool, the sand.


While in the sand the pool was closed two more times as someone again had another "accident". Go figure - you think after the first time you'd get the hint and go home, but three times! I'm not sure it was the same person, but 3 times in a 3 hour period. Each time we had to wait at least 30 minutes before we could go into the pool again. Give me a break!

Nevertheless, I did my part in entertaining Katie while we waited for the pool to open again. Below is the results! Don't you just love the mote around my feet?

Happy 4th of July!

I love the 4th of July - I think it is my absolute favorite holiday! It's easy, (no spending hours shopping for that perfect gift, no elaborate menu's to prepare, not a lot of decorating just fun). I love the easy BBQ food, the warm weather, the parades, the get togethers and of course the fireworks.


We had a busy, but not too busy weekend. Friday, Katie and I made these yummy patriotic strawberries.

Friday evening we were invited to a friends home the Lawn' s for a BBQ. Jim did an excellent job grilling burgers, brats and hot dogs. We all brought a side dish to pass. We brought these fun strawberries and brownies. Afterwards, we all gathered on their front lawn to light sparklers and watch spectacular fireworks. Fun!

Saturday morning we went to church for the 4th of July Picnic breakfast. I brought my yummy cinnamon rolls. We enjoyed watching the Boy Scouts raise the flag, the kids bike parade and then we played outdoor games, potato sack races, tug of war, and various water games. I was in charge of the water balloon toss. The benefit of being in charge of this activity is that you don't get wet since you are running the game. We also had our ward version of America's Got Talent.

Sunday evening we invited the Tanner's over for games and dessert. We enjoyed sharing one of our favorite games with them "Spinner" and then had Blueberry, Strawberry Shortcake. I guess this was a big yummy food weekend.

Monday we traveled to Barrington to meet up with Uncle Bill and then traveled to Woodstock to visit Uncle Dick who is recovering from spine surgery. Uncle Bob, Aunt Lee and Aunt Shirley met us there and it was nice to see the Hartman Clan. We hadn't been all together since Thanksgiving.

So that raps our holiday weekend up - Food, Friends, Firewords, and Family. Not a bad holiday!

Happy Holidays

Summer Time!

Well it's summer time, at least that is what the calendar says, but since I've been out of school the weather has been cool and rainy. Hopefully, next week it will be warm and I can get Katie to the pool. She will be a happy camper then.

So, what have you been doing with your time since you've been out of school you may ask.

1. Well, first and foremost I have been enjoying the slower pace!

2. Twice a week I have been tutoring a very hard working little boy in Elburn. We are working on improving his reading skills, and I never have seen a student work harder and have a more positive attitude than this boy.

3. I have dusted off my sewing machine, located my quilting supplies and have been quite content hearing the hum of my machine as I create new quilting patterns.

4. Kristen gave me a book she wanted me to read, My Sisters Keeper which I am enjoying. I also went to Borders and used a gift certificate I received from a student and bought a couple more reads that I plan to enjoy this summer.

5. Katie is taking clarinet lessons once a week and will begin Band camp in one week, and Kristen is working almost full-time so I've become the designated driver.

6. I'm also registered to take a class that begins on the 24th of this month and using Research Based Literacy Instruction in Your Classroom. This is a 3 credit online grad class so my education continues . . .

7. I'm working on digging out my home. (I get a little bit behind in my housework when school begins.

I'm Walkin' Yes Indeed…

Yep, somehow I've become the team captain for a walking challenge at my school. The school district that I work for has developed several healthy challenges for the teachers and staff. Our latest challenge is a walking challenge. One requirement for entering this challenge is that you needed to join a team or organize a team. So I thought I would ask the team leader from the previous walking challenge if she was going to be a team leader again. She replied that she was but her team was full. (I guess she knew a slow walker if she saw one. albeit she is also the PE teacher - go figure!)

Well working at a small school is somewhat similar to living in a small town; news travels fast - and before I knew it a couple of teachers asked if they could join my team, MY TEAM I was just looking for a team to join, but then I figured why not - so this afternoon I send out an e-mail to my fellow teachers inquiring if anyone would like to joint my team and two hours later I had a team of 12. So, I'm all excited and I began making plans on my way home on ways to add steps into my day! I think I love a challenge!

Which leads me to my next thought - how about we have a family walking challenge? It would begin Monday May 11th and end June 8th (That would give us all time to get our pedometers). The would last one month and all interested parties could all put in $5.00 into a kitty that would be given to the winner at the end of the month. Each week you could e-mail me with your steps and I can keep track of the weekly winners. So family what do you think? Dad, I know you already walk and this challenge could be a real cinch for you. And, Jake I know you love a challenge. Erik, Colette, Samantha, Sarah, Anna, Uncle Mike and Uncle Bill you guys are already into fitness and could give the rest of us a run for our money. (No pun intended!) The rest of us could just use a little motivation. If you're in let me know.


OK this is off topic - here's a picture of Nana, me and Katie in Arizona, at the Desert Botanical Garden. We were enjoying a beautiful glass art exhibit by Chihuly.


Here are a couple of pictures from the exhibit - the sculptures are much more striking in person!