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Now I pose the question: what exactly does the "send error report now" button accomplish? Perhaps its for statistical purposes. Why are the PC companies interested in keeping track of how many of their computers are internally combusting? Don't ask me I haven't the foggiest. An even better idean, perhaps they put the button there, so in our absolute frustration we feel as if something is being done...even if we are clicking a useless button.

What I do know is that I am forever and always a Mac girl.


I have had a PC for work since Sunday night and I can't even remember how many error messages I have received! Frustrating! I have already reached the point of wanting to toss it over my balcony.

No, I am not being paid by apple for this testimonial.

P.S. I love the mac & P.C. ad campaign.
"Hi I'm a mac."
"And I'm a PC and I don't work properly!"

shoe love is true love

Three reasons why I love Nordstrom! (I wore the red pair to church today and I am (sigh) in love!)

More First Grade Pics

I just pulled these pics off of my parents' computer, where they have been for the last 2 months! Indulge me once more as I post pictures of first grade!

Mr. and Mrs. Strong

Tonight I was able to go to my friend Katie's wedding reception. Katie and I met a little over a year ago when I was interviewing for a job. I had met with the principal that morning and then I got a phone call asking that I come back after school to meet with the first grade team. I met Katie and she gave me a tour of the school. I remember thinking, "Wow she has the most amazing, organized classroom and she has the best taste in clothes... I could totally work with her!" I got a phone call about 15 minutes after I left the school offering me a job to teach first grade...with Katie. Katie was my lifesaver on more than one occasion. She is such a talented teacher and I learned so much from her. We became quick friends. We always say about our friendship that, "we just clicked."

This evening Katie Anderson became Katie Strong! I was happy I got to share in Katie and Anthony's special day! Katie looked absolutely beautiful! She and Anthony compliment each other so well and I am so happy for them both!

Bonus! Adrienne another one of my friends from work, my next door neighbor in the hallway, was able to come with me. We got to spend some time together this evening. I was so happy we got the chance to chat before I leave tomorrow for Newport Beach. (Adrienne said she is coming to visit. So Adrienne, I am holding you to it! :) ) Adrienne came in halfway through the year to take over our C Track first grade. She did an amazing job! I can't even imagine coming in halfway through the year and starting management all over and training 25 first graders in March. I was lucky to have been able to teach for 4 months with Adrienne! Adrienne I am happy you moved all the way across the country... even if you thought it was about the craziest thing you had ever done!

As we were driving in, Amy Hansen, my other teaching friend pulled in with her husband and her darling baby Jaxson! It was so good to see her before I leave tomorrow. Especially since she was out on maternity leave the last 6 weeks of school! Amy was my mentor this year and I can't even begin to tell you how many times I went in to her room just to vent! She was so sweet when I was completely stressed out before starting school. She spent well over an hour just talking about my daily schedule with me and helping me figure it out! We laugh about that now... the time I changed my mind 45 million times and then ended up with a schedule pretty much like Amy's. Amy, thank you for everything!!



I couldn't have asked for three better people to work with every day! Katie, Adrienne, and Amy I will miss you!

Trading Spaces is not as easy as it looks!

After 4 trips to Home Depot (3 by me and 1 by my dad) and a week of hard work... my chairs are finally finished! Thankfully Caroline took pity on me and decided that she would help. This was quite the project! Stripping, sanding, and painting 6 chairs was much more work than I anticipated! In fact, several times during the ordeal I asked myself why I wanted to strip, sand, and repaint the kitchen chairs. On the bright side, I now feel as if the paint aisles at Home Depot are my domain and I was able to learn quite a lot. Now will I ever use my new found knowledge on a new project? Ask me in a few months because currently the answer is no.

So you too can admire my handiwork...

Stripping the chairs:


I like the contrast of the table and chairs:


So this will be the cozy little table at the Katie and Rebecca residence! Come and visit and then you can eat dinner at our little table!

CPK Lunch Date

I got to meet 4 of my first grade friends for lunch at California Pizza Kitchen! It was so good to see them! I miss all my first graders so much!

The chair...

So this is the chair I am contemplating...



It may seem a little intense, but I am a woman with a decorating vision! (again Pottery Barn is fantastic)

I LOVE Pottery Barn

My new acquisitions...#127 is going to be well outfitted! I am so excited!

Floor Lamp


Headboard


Nesting Tables

Fear not my fellow bloggers…I have returned!

So much has happened over the past few months and I will attempt to summarize.

I finished my first year of 1st grade. As expected it was really hard to say goodbye to all of my “friends”. I feel so blessed that I was able to have 27 vivacious, spunky, darling children be a part of my life. I miss them like crazy! I cried, as did about 15 of my children. It was a hard day!

I saw school supplies at Walmart yesterday and I’m not going to lie, it made my heart a little sad. Here are pictures from our field trips and our last day of school. Enjoy!





Next up, we were off to Lake Tahoe for our Miller family reunion. We have vacationed at Lake Tahoe my whole life and I love it! It is so fun to be together with the whole family. Since I have a June birthday, it is rare that my birthday is celebrated at home. 23 was celebrated at Lake Tahoe. Caroline made me our favorite white cake (from scratch) with lemon curd. Because there were so many of us, she made two cakes. They were delicious! Thanks Caroline! (note the cute cupcake apron which was purchased for the cake making)



Griffin, my 3 year old cousin, was my little buddy during the week. He called me A-becca…he would ask, “what’s your name?” and then he would say, “oh yeah, A-becca.” We had fun playing blocks, coloring, reading stories, and singing songs. One night he came up to me and said, “butterfly kisses.” So I gave him a butterfly kiss and then I taught him how to do Eskimo kisses. He sat there a minute and then puckered up and said, “Eskimo kisses on the lips.” So cute! I am excited to move to Newport and live close to Fin and his family.
Fin helped me blow out my candles.



This past week I spent in California and Arizona. I had so much fun relaxing! We were supposed to go backpacking while in Arizona, but thunderstorms were in the forecast so we changed our plans. We ate out, enjoyed fireworks, laid by the pool, saw a movie, and had a great time. We went on a short easy hike up in Sedona on Saturday. The red rock was so beautiful. 

Yesterday we went out to Santa Cruz and laid on the beach…we ran out in the waves and I got soaked! After a while we started to notice that there were several people around who decided that swimwear was optional…we promptly left! We had a good laugh. We enjoyed a yummy lunch at a fabulous deli. I had a grilled chicken and artichoke sandwich. We then went out the pier by the boardwalk and saw a bunch of sea lions. They make the funniest noise. Look at the sea lions snuggled on the dock. Kind of cute…eh?

I was able to spend some time in Los Altos with Grandma and Grandpa. It was fun to just hang out and visit with Grandma. It was so hot that we spent a while chatting in the pool last night. Of course Grandma and I ran errands…Target, Trader Joe’s, etc. Grandma and I made my favorite blueberry muffins this morning. Delicious! I can’t believe that it was 2 years ago that I lived with Grandma and Grandpa for the summer while I taught at Pinewood. Wow! Time flies!

I purchased tickets to see Wicked in a couple weeks in L.A. and I am so excited! My good friend Jen was kind enough to coordinate it all! Caroline and my mom saw it in New York and LOVED it! August 16th Wicked is coming my way!

Last, but not least, I move to Newport Beach on the 20th! I can hardly wait. Kate went out a few weeks ago and says the apartment is great! I am excited to start “operation decoration” on #127! I will post pics soon! Kate and I will be having a private Welcome to Newport party complete with Sprinkles Cupcakes!