Shopping Nirvana

I went to one of my shrines of the retail industry today. IKEA at Atlantic Station. I was specifically looking for the coffee table that matches my entertainment center, but came away with a lot of other goodies as well. I have a weird shaped area in my kitchen where the old (1940s) hookup for the washing machine is. There is no counter there, so I have to improvise. I found a great butcher block stand that will go there and look great. I also got a neat mirror to go in my entry way and several other odds and ends that are needed. Of course no trip to IKEA would be complete without a cinnamon roll. Mom and I fortified ourselves for the mission by enjoying coffee and a cinnamon roll before the shopping commenced. At the end to reward ourselves for a job well done, and because we were threatened if we came home without them, we stopped in the food hall for ginger snap cookies for dad and hazelnut chocolate cookies for Angie. Angie, you get 2 rolls of them.

From there we took a roundabout way back to the interstate thanks to the ongoing DOT project that is I75 in Atlanta. Once on 75South, we stopped for lunch at Steak and Shake, Thanks mom for the milkshake. From there it was to Garden Ridge. This place has tons of stuff for your home and garden. I got 2 new pictures to hang and 3 new pillows for the love seat and couch. When we checked out, we had to go home cause I had spent all of my money. It was a perfect way to spend a Saturday since we could not paint due to the weather. Glad it did not rain yesterday for the baseball game. Thanks for going with me mom. One week to go and I will be moved. And yes Angie, I have started to pack. :)

Graduation Week

Its been an emotional week at TSA. Monday was the last "Real" day of school for the Seniors. We do something neat to let them have some fun. At 3:10, Mrs. Cheek announces "Teachers, please dismiss the Seniors". They then run through the halls yelling and screaming out to the front parking lot. Parents are there and all of the underclassmen line the halls cheering them on. On Wednesday morning, we had Senior Chapel. The seniors get to design the chapel service and speak on what God has laid on their hearts. It was neat to hear several of them speak. Thursday is the emotional roller coaster of a day. We begin the day with the Blessing of the Graduates. They play the Senior Video that follows the class from Kindergarten to Senior year. By then end, EVERYONE is laughing and crying. Then, comes a drama by the students. If the video did not get you crying, this will. Then the seniors line the walls of the auditorium and their parents go and stand with them and there is a prayer or blessing over them. Mom and I stood with a senior girl who is going through a lot in her life right now and her parents were not there to support her.

Then its over to the Athletic Complex for the Moving Up Ceremony. The seniors "Officially" become Alumni and each grade "moves up". Its really neat. The juniors salute the seniors and the seniors give a farewell address. College choices are announced and new class officers are announced. Its an emotional time for the seniors at the beginning, but then its fun. We end everything with them singing the "Alma Matar" one last time.

Sunday is Bacalaurette and Monday night is Graduation!! I am excited for these students to move on to the next phase of their lives, and also about next years Seniors. There is a chance I might teach a class of seniors next year, so that will be fun cause I love this class.

The house is coming along. I am moving NEXT WEEKEND!!! I can't believe it is almost here. I have some painting left to do and cleaning. Of course, I need to start packing. I have a Scarlet O' Hara mentality about that. Tomorrow is always another day!! Angie, I PROMISE to have packed by the time you get here to help move. Mom and I are going to IKEA tomorrow to pick some things up, and I just checked my Bed Bath and Beyond registery and noticed that someone bought something I had not registered for. FUN!!!! Its really cool looking pillow covers. I can't wait.

Sweat Equity

I am so sore and tired tonight. Mom, Dad, and I spent almost all day at my new house getting ready for me to move. I decided I wanted to paint 3 rooms. We want to get it done before I move in two weeks, so this weekend is painting weekend. Of course, I have to be difficult and go from a red kitchen to a light green kitchen. Two coats of primer and two(? not sure we are going to need 2 will find out tomorrow) coats of paint later, I have a green kitchen. It looks great if I do say so myself.

As I was taping off the den, I realized that I need stock in the masking tape companies. When buying an older home, and then painting, one realizes that there is trim, a LOT of trim work that has to be protected while the walls are getting painted. But, mom and I taped and conquered. Well at least until we ran out of tape. :) We will finish tomorrow. I met some of my neighbors today and I am really going to like it there.

I also got my grass cut today by a student of mine. He is coming back twice more this month to take care of my yard for me until I have time to do it myself. I also got a HUGE surprise from my parents. I had admired a bistro table and chairs at Lowes several weeks ago when mom and I were picking paint colors. When Dad got there today they made me come outside and they had bought me the set for my back patio. I was SO excited because it was totally unexpected, Mom said she would let other people get me the "practical" housewarming gifts for my shower, she wanted to get me something fun!! Thanks Mom and Dad, I love you!!!!!!