The Kohlmans

...mud. And, when it's accompanied by a good storm and some hail, it makes for a rather bedraggled garden. My tomatoes are tattered.... My cucumbers got clobbered.... This zucchini got zapped, but the rest of the plant seems to be doing okay... We didn't plant much this year because of the continued watering restrictions, so I'm hoping that what little I have bounces back from the evening of hail and wind. Other than one board blown down from the fence, we don't have any real damage, thankfully.

My bags (er, boxes) are packed, ready for someone else to move them. I'm checked out of two schools. I had a great pizza lunch with friends I've had the privilege of working with over the past four years (but with whom I will not get to work next year). I brought home plenty of candy, a generous gift card from a student, and a beautiful plant. Random, I know. I've cried just a few tears. It helps that I sneaked out without having to say "goodbye." All that to say... Summer 2012 has officially begun. And here is what I intend to do with this time (in no particular order). finish quarter round and trim (all that's left to do is punch in the nails and fill the holes... kind of counting on Brad to do this one) stain/seal the deck hang towel bars in the master bath get rug for living room  repaint nightstand visit Becca & Micah at harvest clean out the basement hang pictures in the bedroom? learn at least 4 new piano songs be crafty - make at leas...

 Lately I've really enjoyed reading Susan's weekend recaps . So I'm going to copy her. My lilies from Grandma Lu's started blooming last week. I can't quite get the color right, though. They're a really beautiful deep red. Not maroon but not bright red. Maybe someday I'll figure out how to photograph them. This weekend was a good one. Friday I started a project I've been wanting to do for years. Here's a hint: I haven't gotten any farther than the cleaning part, but step 2 will happen this week... I might have gotten myself (and my sewing machine) in over my head for this one, but we'll see. Some dear friends from college came to have lunch with me Saturday. I'm pretty proud of us; we got together for the first time in years in December, and we've kept up with our visits pretty regularly since then. It was good, as always, but the visit was way too short. The Bachelor's Buttons (I think?) are blooming, too. I love ...

“Have great hopes and dare to go all out for them. Have great dreams and dare to live them. Have tremendous expectations and believe in them.”  – Norman Vincent Peale I've been focusing on this quotation lately (and one other that I may share another day). Maybe that's a weird thing to say. Sometimes I feel so frustrated with how things are going, particularly in relation to my job. Next year will be my fourth job description in five years of teaching - all in the same district, only the first of which I had a choice in. Granted, none of these jobs have been huge changes, but they are changes nonetheless. Sometimes I feel like it's my fault; if I were a better teacher... or if I had just ...fill in the blank... I would still be doing what I was doing my first two years. But that's silly. It's all about budgets and numbers and student:teacher ratios and the legislature not doing their job (but don't get me started on that mess).  Still... There...

A few weeks ago I won a free drink at the local coffee shop/gas station. This strawberry smoothie was delicious.  Long story short: I can't check out books on my Kindle Fire anymore. It's because the company that the library contracts with to provide digital distribution rights changed the rules in the middle of the game. Since I don't live in the zip code the library is located in, I'm out of luck. Seriously in the middle of the game. As in, on Thursday I checked out a book, but on Saturday when I needed another, I was sent to an error screen. It's actually a big problem that libraries have had when trying to offer e-books to their patrons; the books either cost way more for libraries than private purchasers or their distribution rights are restricted. I'm beyond frustrated, and trying to figure out a free alternative, all the while hoping that they will change their minds or be forced to. Wish me luck! Sometimes Jazzy's not sure what to think abo...

(I totally stole this from a couple of other blogs) Right now I am... watching myself type. drinking ice water.  wearing track t-shirt and shorts. eating nothing. listening to Brad connect dishwasher parts and Jazzy's tags jingle as she walks around. avoiding studying for the Praxis (to be taken at an undetermined date) and vacuuming the house. wishing I had more energy at the end of the day, to work on projects and keep up with the house and walk the dog and... and... and... feeling too many emotions, ranging from frustration to contentment.  (yes, both at once, just with different aspects of life) missing my "old" job. thankful that Brad keeps me grounded.  craving time with friends.  wondering when I'll hear if my practicum requests were approved. praying for patience and a hopeful heart. needing a confidence boost (especially when it comes to work). thinking about summer classes and summer reading and summer projects. ...