Packing

*Image by Robert S. Donovan

I have started procrastinating, I mean packing. We're moving next weekend and so far I have managed to wash a colossal load of laundry and to throw out a bunch of garbage. I am completely lacking in motivation despite the fact that I had a brilliant plan for packing that sounded so efficient and easy. I need packing elves or to at least crank on some fantastic motivating music. Any tips to help motivate a helpless procrastinator?

Anniversary

*Image by Cheryl Jones

Happy first anniversary to my wonderful husband! I cannot believe a whole year has passed.

Patio

*Image by pricklypearbloom

I always seem to luck out on Craigslist. Yesterday night I found some beautiful patio chairs and an ottoman. I'm going to take a look at them sometime this weekend. I can imagine myself sitting out on my patio with a fancy drink in one hand and a book in the other. That sounds like a lovely way to spend my summer. I'm going to spend my weekend packing and daydreaming about a relaxing summer. What are your plans for relaxing this weekend?

Almost

*Image by RetailByRyan95

Today is Friday. I have a three-day weekend to look forward to. I cannot wait until next week is over. I cannot wait. School is almost over, we're moving soon and summer is peeking over the horizon. What are you looking forward to?

Minnow

*Image & fish via Anthropologie

My husband thought I was strange to want to add a tiny decorative pair of salt & pepper shakers. For some reason I have been captivated by tiny crystal shakers since I was little. These little fish made me smile. Smiling is good for a Thursday. Are you taken in by any nick-nacks?

Award

*Image by pouryourheartintoit cupcake by Trophy

Yesterday, despite my feeling crappy I co-chaired our 8th grade awards ceremony. It was lovely seeing how well everything went, especially because everyone now wants to put me in charge of things. While searching for some award representation or trophy, I landed on too many photos of tasty cupcakes. Everything brings me back to Seattle. Just yesterday I saw a car with WA plates driving down the road and it made me smile. (Actually I wanted to drive up next to the car and wave, like a fool - I have TX plates now).

Really?

*Image via jslander

Summer has been in full force here for quite some time. Now, that we are so close to summer vacation I can taste it - now, I get a cold. Oh the irony. Thank goodness for soup and husbands who pamper and bulldogs to cuddle with. I only wish I didn't have students and learning to contend with. Uggg...

Ribbon

*Image via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Aside from paper, my other downfall is ribbon. I love the idea of having a ribbon display with my sewing & wrapping work station. My favorite part of packaging a gift is to chose the perfect ribbon to put the finishing touches on the parcel. I'll add this image to my inspiration file for the new office. What is your favorite finishing touch?

The Gift

Image of Mason Jennings by Ben Moon

A traditional first anniversary gift is paper. Knowing my husband, giving him a paper gift he would appreciate and find meaningful felt like an especially difficult task. I was browsing the interweb and looking for inspiration. I thought back to our first dance song, Keepin' it Real and was using it as inspiration. While browsing on Mason Jennings' website, I discovered that he was playing a show in Austin on May 22nd. The paper gift would be tickets, the real gift was the show. My brother suggested I write Mason a letter requesting our song, explaining our situation so I did that too. The show was amazingly intimate, and the last song played was Keepin' it Real, I couldn't have asked for a better night. We had a great time and I am proud, most of all that I kept this whole thing a secret until we walked up to the will-call line.

Ticket

*Image by Lonny

I woke up too early and got totally beaten in my first real water polo game. The first game where the competition has been playing since they could walk and where I felt like I had almost some idea of what was going on... Not bad. Only one more game left today and then we're off to Austin. I am so excited.