Inspired...

"Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!"
-Dr. Seuss

Our hike through the woods left me with the desire to create. The school year kind of zaps that kind of energy out of my reach. And, sure enough, by the time we got back to Georgia, it was school, school, school again.

But I was able to capture some images that I'll be able to save for later. When the creative mood strikes again. Maybe you'll be inspired as well...

Familiar faces...

"A man finds room in the few square inches of his face for the traits of all his ancestors; for the expression of all his history."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Sometimes when I look in the mirror, I see traces of the beautiful people who created me. And, the Faces feature of iPhoto agrees sometimes.

Even I looked at this photo and thought, I look like my mama.And, my dad's eyes seem to stare back at me from this photo.You may not see the resemblance, but I'm sure glad that I do.

So I'm a week behind... big whoop...

"Vacation used to be a luxury, but in today's world it has become a necessity."
-Author Unknown

Thursday night late week: I was packing for a trip which I knew little about. All I had been told was to pack walking/hiking shoes, and that the temperature would range from 40-70 degrees. Despite the fact I was in the dark about where we were going and what we were doing, Rob kept asking me if he had packed the right clothes. Considering he packed four jackets, four shirts and three pairs of pants for a weekend away, I kept telling him that he probably had his bases covered.

Friday night last week: The secret destination was plugged into the gps. Given the direction we were headed and the estimated time of arrival, I was able to decipher the clues to learn we were headed to Chattanooga.

Saturday morning last week: We woke up early and headed back into Georgia to Cloudland Canyon State Park, the last hike to join Canyon Climbers Club. The park is in a drought so the waterfalls were measly, but it was quite a hike, or should I say "climb."Saturday afternoon last week: After billboards directed us to Rock City and Ruby Falls the whole way to Chattanooga, we decided to give Ruby Falls a try. While the cave tour was less than impressive, the glorious waterfall at the end made it worth it.Saturday evening last week: The one thing I asked for while in Chattanooga was a barbecue dinner. You just can't go there without relishing in a little Sticky Fingers. We felt pretty hip, hanging out downtown after dark. And even treated ourselves to some Ben & Jerry's.

Sunday morning last week: Although we had plans of hitting the corn maze, we ended up at the riverfront park instead. What a cool place! We spent the whole day walking around, admiring the greenscapes, the riverboats, and the second longest pedestrian-only bridge in the nation. And, it made a great location for a photoshoot. I'm always willing to be the model, just as long as Rob's always willing to be the photographer!

The Evolution of A Bedroom, part 2...

"O bed! O bed! delicious bed!
That heaven upon earth to the weary head."
-Thomas Hood

When we moved in to our house...
When we started decorating...When we brought my grandparents' dresser...
When outfitted in the summer linens...When we splurged on a new Tempurpedic mattress last weekend...
When we had our new bedroom furniture delivered...Coming soon... when the rest of the furniture is no longer on back-order... expected late November!!

File Folder games

"I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free."
-Michelangelo

As daughter of a preschool teacher, I've colored and cut out my fair share of file folder games. As we are being encouraged to organize our class in the centers-model, as well as to differentiate our lessons to reach learners with multiple intelligences, I got the bright idea to adapt pre-algebra concepts to the file folder game.

I liked this idea. It's creative. It's hand-on. It's kind of "graphic-designy." However, I've learned some things that I will definitely do differently next time.

1. Don't make lots of multiples of the exact same game. And, all in one day! However, this time I was glad that I did because I was able to teach the expectations for file folder games in a whole-group setting. Next time, I'll just make one or two for a single concept, so that a small group can work with in during a centers station.
2. Don't cut out the pictures that get attached to the file folder. This time I taped down each and every question to the file folder. 10 times 6 sets times 2 different games means lots of tape and lots of time. I should have just printed them on an 8.5x11 page layout that could get taped down once!
3. Don't print in black and white. Although I used some cute graphics, I didn't think about using color to spice it up even more. It will look a lot more fun if it's colorful and has another fun theme.
4. Buy stock in VELCRO. I went through two packages of this stuff. I just probably just buy it in bulk!

In a heartbeat...

"No man should escape our universities without knowing how little he knows." -J. Robert Oppenheimer

Every Sunday for the last six weeks (minus one in the middle when it was raining) Rob and I have trekked down to Tech to watch Rob's old residents play their last season of intramurals flag football. We've been cheering on this team for four years, and we've watched them become pretty darn good. They even made us shirts to match the team's--(the name on Rob's back is "Coach"). Feeling guilty about missing their last game, Rob ran down to watch the second half of their final playoff game. Boys... it's been a great 4 seasons!

Now for the ooshy, gooshy stuff...
Walking around campus each week makes me long to be back in college. I stayed up late and got up early, but I really didn't know tired yet. It was the most social time of my life. There was always someone around to hang out with, talk with, study with. I didn't worry about things like paying bills or making dinner. I went to class and even held a part-time job, but everything just fell into place.
I used to think it was weird when people would say they'd love to go back to high school. But, now I understand... I'd do college over again in a heartbeat.

Our journey continues...

“It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters in the end.” -Ursula K. LeGuin

In keeping with tradition (here and here), I wanted to give Rob something leather to celebrate our third anniversary. I found this great leather-bound national park atlas from Orvis and had it monogrammed for him. To personalize the book to represent us, I recreated national park stamps to match the places we've been together. I used PhotoShop and rscottjones' photostream to copy and paste the correct dates to the stamp image. Then I printed them and stapled them to the appropriate pages of the atlas. We haven't been collectors of national park stamps thus far, but I imagine we will be from now on.

I love how...

"And now here is my secret, a very simple secret; it is only with the heart that one can see rightly, what is essential is invisible to the eye." -Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Wednesday was our third wedding anniversary. I can't believe we've been official that long. And together for 8 years...crazy!I love how predictable my husband is. And how non-pretentious. Yesterday morning I couldn't wait to jump out of the shower and run to the kitchen table, knowing exactly what I would find. Three glass bottles of Coca-Cola and three bags of Reese's Pieces... I mean, it is our third anniversary!!

I love how resourceful my husband is. And creative, in his own way. When he couldn't find a vase (they were "hidden" in the cabinet!), he opted to place the bouquet of sunflowers (again, three of them) on the table in our blender. The only thing heavy enough to support the long stems.

I love how flexible my husband is. I had to attend a seminar on classroom management at the county office from 5:15-9:00 last night. We were on our own for dinner, and it was basically bedtime when I got home. Guess that's to be expected though... he left for three weeks of training in South Carolina the day after our wedding.

I love how sneaky my husband is. Apparently he's planning a surprise for next weekend. He's been searching on Hotwire for something. I know there are secret emails in his inbox, but so far I've been able to keep myself from peeking.

I love how wonderful my husband is. And how wonderful we are together. Three year later and stronger than ever.