Remember Me?

I am really bad at updating this!!! I guess I can blame it on busy summer, but I know I have definitely had more free time than during the school year. Well, here's what I've been up to:

-lots and lots of professional development!!! This was pretty much the entire month of June, and the hardest part is that some of it was spent training on topics that I am already very well versed in, but at least I got it over with.

-painting our bathroom and bedroom (unfortunately, I have not gotten to the bedroom, but Neal has promised to help when he has some time off coming up between jobs in September) That's right - Neal has a new job, and he starts in the fall! We are so excited about this, but I have to wait and tell you more later.

-visiting Brantley and Adrienne in Nashville! We had a blast, and it made me really want to try and convince them to move back here ASAP! No offense to those of you with children, but it was really nice to get to hang out as couples, and not have to worry about the logistics of kids. We also love the fact that they are basically in the same stage of life as we are (Adrienne is almost finished with school), and we've known them longer than any of our other friends. By the way if you met Brantley and Adrienne while they lived here in Fort Worth, they said to tell you hello.

-visiting my grandparents in Northern Alabama - it was so great to see them and show Neal the sights around where they live (gorgeous views!)

-visiting National Geographic in Washington, D.C! The only downside of this trip was that Neal did not get to come with me, but I learned a lot of really great information about geography concepts, conflict in Europe (especially in the Balkans), and an awesome new way to teach about borders in Europe. I think that the National Geographic Society really knows how to do training for teachers. I was a fantastic experience, and I get to go back next year!!!

-playing Guitar Hero! This is my new guilty pleasure - Brantley and Adrienne got me to play, and now I'm addicted! I challenge to come to my house and battle with me -Aerosmith style!

Now, I am just back at home getting geared up for school to start soon (yikes!), and I am trying to spend as much time as possible relaxing at the pool, reading, etc. And, this is totally off topic, but I realized when I logged on that several people had left comments on my last post, and I didn't get e-mails about them. I didn't want you to think that I purposely did not publish them, but since I teach junior high, I have to moderate, so none of my little darlings leave "sweet" messages to me on my blog - if they stumble upon it. I will try to stay on top of the comments better so it does not seem like I am ignoring you. Thanks for reading! Here are a few pics from our summer:

Penny taking a nap with Neal on the way to Nashville

With Brantley and Adrienne after church

My Nana and Grandpa

Neal enjoying the view of Lake Guntersville


With the human footprint - this is how much you will consume in your lifetime!