Tomorrow starts the 3rd week of school and 2nd week of dance for the girls. August is quickly coming to a close, and I can feel the weather is slowly beginning to change. Not that the days aren't still hot, but....ooohh...the nights are nice and cool! It was so nice to sleep with the windows open last night! It was almost nostalgic....remembering growing up in Rhode Island where central AC was not the norm and every window in the house was open trying to keep the temperature bearable. And if you were lucky you had a fan in your window.




On Monday August 17th I went to go see the Gwinnett Braves take on the Pawtucket Red Sox. Another feeling of nostalgia. Growing up in RI you were never very far from anything and this included McCoy Stadium, home of the Pawtucket Red Sox. Our school always had promotional nights and the tickets were $3.oo.
Although I was at the Braves home field, I was still pulling for Red Sox. But by the end of the game I was cheering for both sides. I really didn't care who won...it was great being at a ballpark again.



Now tomorrow should prove to be an interesting day. I love to cook and I love the Food Network. So after I drop Emily off at school, I am heading to downtown Atlanta to the W hotel to throw my hat into the ring to become the Next Food Network Star. There is an open cast call and I figured what the heck! I filled out my 11 page application...I have my 2 recent pictures of myself...and there I go. I lack culinary training, and gourmet chef I am not...but I still love to cook and think it would be a blast to be on TV. I figured I would get as far as handing the folks my application and never hear from them again. But at least I can say I tried! Life is too short not to go for what you want!

Sunday morning

So here it is...the last morning before school starts. As I sip my coffee and enjoy the peace and quiet I am mentally preparing for the changes in schedule that are about to come. One week after school starts, dance begins again. Who needs to be where when? I need to sit and create a schedule to ensure that no one will be left behind at the studio.

As crazy as it will be...it will be good to get back into a routine; it may take awhile to figure out that routine, but it's all good.

What an incredible time we had on our vacation. On July 18th, Rusty and I packed up the girls and drove them down to Florida to spend some time with their papa, cousins and aunts. After visiting for a day or so we (Rusty and I) drove to Hilton Head Island, SC for our own vacation. My sister in laws family has a house there and let us borrow it for the week! If you have never been to Hilton Head (HH), I highly recommend it! Although New England beaches will always be my favorite, HH is a very close 2nd.


My dad...feeling much better, thank you very much, drove the girls to HH on Saturday July 25. He spent the night then headed back home.

We spent 3 more days as a family +1, Kailie had invited her friend to come along.

Emily and I spent the better part of one day at the beach. This is the day I learned that I am not allergic to Jelly Fish...OUCH!!! Emily was a little freaked out because of how quickly I got out of the water...she thought a shark bit my foot off.

Rusty and I took several walks on the beach before the girls arrival. I was on the look out for sharks' teeth, unfortunately I did not find any. Kailie on the other hand found 4. I searched for almost a week, and she looked for 20 minutes.



We were very fortunate to have had the opportunity to stay in Hilton Head. But at some point vacations have to end. July 29 marked the end of a fantastic vacation. After 10 wonderful days in HH, we packed up and headed home. That night Rusty said, "It must have been a wonderful vacation, nobody said that it was good to be home." Not that I am not happy to be home, I really enjoyed our time away.

I had to work the day after we got home, it was as good a day as one could have at work. Today is Rusty's first day back...I need to call him soon to make sure he remembered how to get to work. The girls head back to school 1 week from today....summer is almost over.

Growing up Labor Day always marked the end of summer vacation...not any more. Now, I am looking forward to my next trip. On September 16th I head to Rhode Island. I am really looking forward to seeing friends and family. September is such a pretty time of year in New England. I am excited about seeing the ocean again, I miss it already!