The busiest August on record...

Well August has been a whirlwind for me. Luckily it's been filled with a lot of fun stuff.

I headed to Pawley's Island, SC for an old fashioned family vacation during the first week of August. We didn't do much other than sit on the beach all day, go swimming, take long walks, sleep in, and eat delicious and sometimes unhealthy food. It was exactly what I needed after a long school year with my 2nd graders and a June and July filled with babysitting.


The whirlwind is what came after I returned from Pawley's Island. Amid flight delays and sitting on airport runways in various cities, I finally made it back to Baltimore on Thursday, August 6th to start wedding weeked festivities for one of my very best friends Katie. We did her bachelorette party Thursday night, rehearsal and rehearsal dinner Friday night, and then hair, makeup, and wedding on Saturday. Such a fun weekend and it was such a treat to be a part of her special day.

The next morning I hopped on an early flight to Providence, Rhode Island and then headed to Nantucket, MA. I'm still here typing away... I'm here babysitting for 3 boys. It's a gorgeous island and it has been a true treat to spend so much time here.

While here, my friend Melissa who lives in Westport, MA was nice enough to hop on the ferry from Hyannis, MA and travel to Nantucket to spend the day with me. I think she could tell from my voice that I was craving some girl time and would love nothing more than a day shopping, eating, and talking our way through Nantucket. So that's exactly what we did! And it was just what I needed! Melissa and I met in college... during a horrendous technology class for our education major. (We're both 2nd grade teachers) Melissa is married to Kevin (I was in their wedding 2 summers ago in Scituate) and they are currently renovating their new house. I think Melissa was just as happy for the escape as I was to have her. It was the perfect day. Shopping has always been a favorite hobby for the two of us and so when in Nantucket, we shopped... I have been eyeing the infamous Nantucket sweatshirts the entire time I've been here but needed help picking the color and size. We had a ball! I also got my Nantucket Christmas ornament... this is a tradition I picked up from my Mom. Wherever I travel, I always pick up a Christmas ornament from that place. It's so fun to reminisce each year when I'm decorating the Christmas tree. We tried the famous Juice Bar ice cream in the homemade waffle bowls. They were to die for and were well worth the expense. Before we knew it, it was 4 o'clock and it was time for Melissa to head back to her house, her renovations, and most importantly to her husband. And I had to return to babysitting duties. We said our goodbyes and made plans for our next visit but not before I forced her into taking cheesy pics on the dock.

But the whirlwind August is starting to catch up with me and I'm craving my bed, my comfy fish blanket (Em that was just for you!), and the privacy of my home. I'm ready to see my family and friends and I'm really ready for an orange crush and some dancing at one of my favorite Canton bars. (That's definitely on the agenda for Saturday night!)

So while I've always said that I love to travel and love to be busy... this past month has taught me that there is nothing wrong with some quality time at home with very little planned. I suppose it really is all about the balance! I wish I could say that September is going to allow for downtime but with the upcoming school year starting and the September 19th wedding of my brother Matt and his fiance Maggie... I don't think there is downtime in that month either.

When I touchdown in Baltimore on Saturday afternoon (God willing that all planes and rides from the airport are on time), I'll hit the ground running. I keep telling people I need to get my "life together" when I get home. Ha! As if I could do that in the span of an afternoon, weekend, or week. But I'll try my best... and then I'll be off to meet my girls at the Towson High School Class of 1999 ten year reunion. Hard to believe!

So in terms of downtime, time at home, and finding the balance... Sunday morning has a little of that in the cards. But the rest of the week and month are jam packed with activities as I'll be catching up with everyone I've missed during my August away. And honestly as tired as I am and as nice as a weekend on the couch or snuggled up with my fish blanket sounds... at this point in my life, busy is just how I like things to be. I truly wouldn't have it any other way.

Summer as a Teacher

So I realized today that I haven't posted in months. I hope nobody out there was waiting with baited breath... like I do for the blogs that I really enjoy reading on a daily basis. Since I'm pretty sure that my sister is the only person that reads this little blog of mine, I'm not too worried.

Summer is in full swing. Honestly, as an elementary school teacher I'm already thinking that we're on the downward slope. It's going to be August 24th before I know it and I'll be heading back to my real job as a 2nd grade teacher. There is always excitement that comes along with a new school year but at this point in the summer I'm filled with nothing but dread about August 24th. I'm just not ready yet. So for now I'll put that date out of my head and keep doing what I'm doing.

For now my summer jobs include babysitting, house sitting, reading, rearranging furniture, sitting by the pool, watching a lot of HGTV, and sleeping in. For me, summer is a glorious time to catch up on all of the things that I never have time to do during the hectic school year.

People are so funny when I tell them what I do for a living. "You're a teacher? Oh it must be nice to not have to work that much." Is it rude that I pretty much laugh in their face? Now I don't consider myself "one of those teachers" who gets on their soap box and preaches the importance of being a teacher, how hard we work, the long hours, etc, etc. I know that there are a lot of people out in this wonderful world of ours who work long hours and have important jobs. I am very realistic about the fact that I chose to be a teacher knowing that it meant work outside of school, not a lot of pay, and summers off. But it always amazes me how quick people are to criticize what I do for a living simply because I have the summer off. I'm also quick to point out that in all of my years of teaching (all 7 of them), I've never had a summer off. I have always babysat... some summers 20 hours a week... others 50 hours a week... this summer my schedule is super sporadic and I have a few weeks off and am doing something new- going on vacation with the family that I babysit for. It should be fun! I mean who wouldn't be excited about a trip to Nantucket with three adorable boys and a nice family? But hey, it's still work.... and we all make our choices in life. My choice just happened to be the job that had the perk of "summers off" no matter what that off time includes.