I want to write.

I want to write but I don't have a lot to write about, so we will see where this leads us.

Lately I've been getting into a better cleaning routine and I'm much happier with the way that our house is being kept up. I actually chose a cluttered place in our house every day last week and organized and went through it (closets, under sinks, in junk drawers ... ) Who wants to read about that? No one. It's not fun or exciting.

I have been at my job now since August 31st and I really like it. It's not what I was expecting and honestly I'm a bit disappointed that I don't have the same class room every day, but I'm trying to look on the bright side of things. I am meeting lots of new people that work there. I'm meeting a lot of kids and seeing a lot of classrooms. I'm working in all age groups .. so hopefully someone see's that I'm good at all ages and thinks I'm valuable eventually. Mostly good news?

Jeff and I are on a weird schedule. Usually I get home just after 5:30 from work (Because I work like 6 mins away!! woo hoo!) and he heads to the gym. Sometimes I like it. I like coming home and having a little time before he gets home. I can just hang out on the couch or start dinner ... but other days I hate coming home to an empty house (even if Duke is here). There seems to be no rhyme or reason to how I'm going to feel each day, so I try not to make him feel bad he has to work out.

Something kind of fun we've been doing is watching all sorts of super hero movies together. I've officially seen all three Batman movies, all three Iron Man, and one Captain America movie. We are making our way to The Avengers. I know these aren't super hero movies but we also watched all eight Harry Potter movies too. (Don't worry, I'm talking over quite a few weeks ... although, not as many as you'd think) We've been digging the series movies lately... and I've liked seeing them all in a row, and all movies I've wanted to see.

Duke is done with his doggy classes. I don't think we will be signing up for another one - but he did really well in this one, since I had pretty much already taught him everything. We went to the dog park yesterday in the evening for like an hour and a half and he was so good. He played and wasn't too rough with anyone's smaller dogs ... He isn't aggressive at all but he just wants the other dogs to play with him so bad, and they don't always have the same idea. He still think's he weighs 20 lbs too ... He has no idea how big he is. Anyways, he had a blast. Not exciting .. but this is my life.

Here's something a little interesting, but more sad than anything. The other night we had a terrible accident outside our housing area. A man crashed his car into a tree and the firemen who work at the firehouse down the street from my house responded. They got him safely out of the car and into the ambulance ... Jeff and I were so taken back watching them work that I wanted to bake them cookies, just so that they knew someone appreciated them and all they do. This past Sunday I baked them chocolate chip cookies while Jeff and his buddy watched the Lions game. I think the guy in the accident is going to be okay. The news always reports the tragedy and doesn't tend to post a follow up story on how they're doing.

I applied and interviewed with our local Jacksonville USO last week. I want to volunteer with them in some of my spare time. I always said that I would have wanted to volunteer with them at the airport in Palm Springs if we had been closer. Now, we have one in our town and they host a lot of local events. I'm not sure where I'll start with them, but I do know ... I'll be baking a lot of Christmas cookies this year, and I won't have to eat them all ;)

Well, that's where I'm at these days. Maybe something new and exciting will happen soon!

Mom's Visit

My mom came to visit us the last week in August - her last week of summer and my week in between summer camp and starting my new job! It was so great to have that week off to spend with her. 

We did so many fun things, I hope I don't forget any. We went and did so many things that have been on my wish list to do around here too! Thanks for giving me the push to do them, Mom! 

The first AWESOME thing we did was drive to Beaufort, NC (about an hour or so) and took a 15 minute ferry ride to Shackelford Banks. It was a beautiful island where you can find wild horses, seashells and a whole lot of beautiful beach. 

After walking around and being kind of disappointed, we found them!!! Check them out! 

Incredible right?

We went to visit the sick and recovering turtles at The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue Center and learned a lot about them ... it was such a cool and different place to see:

We spent a day at the beach in Topsail:

We drove to Willmington, NC to see their historical downtown area:

The Battleship North Carolina

A fun spices shop

Of course we got ice cream! 

Duke was neutered while mom was in town ... sorry buddy. Sweet cone though ;) 

We had a crab legs night!!! 

I even broke them apart myself! 

We tried Kettle Diner, Marina Cafe and The Spouter Inn .. all restaurants that I hadn't been to yet! YUM.
Mom went to her first change of command ceremony, had her first Krispy Kreme donut  ... as well as her first Cheerwine! Welcome to North Carolina, Ma!

It was hard to let her leave .... and for me to go back to work! :)