Wedding Anniversary

Jon & I just celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary this passed weekend!! We stayed over night at Harrah's in AC, which was incredibly gorgeous, relaxing, & adventurous!! I love Harrah's modern design & I'm constantly looking around wondering who came up w/these extravagant architectural & decorating concepts, which drives Jon crazy!! Like, all the sudden, we'll be walking & I'll randomly stop & go "Look at those beautiful butterflies!!" & I'll fish around in my purse for my camera, which always takes a couple of minutes to turn on!! I'll repeat this interesting process every 10 minutes or so, which as you can imagine, results in us taking a while to get anywhere!! But isn't that what a short vacation is all about?! When else can you take a couple moments to aimlessly stare in awe at abstract things, especially when we're all rushing around like chickens w/out heads when we're knee deep in craziness at our day jobs!!

Question!! How do I set up a list of Links to other blogs like everyone else seems to so easily be able to create? I must have missed something simple. hmmm...

How much do you love summer?! June makes me think of amazing Mistos at Rita's Waterice, Clementon Park, strolling the Boards down Ocean City, swimming in my old pool back at 22 Palomar, sitting outside under our awning (growing up) during evening rain showers, putting on musicals in the pool, & barbecuing!! I'm extremely glad the summer months are finally here, although I am experiencing a little bit of School withdraw!! I have so much planned this summer!! Today, my mother & me dragged my husband to Ikea to pick up on the latest organizational trends, of which I discovered many!! I had an awesome time, & Jon...well, he's holding up considerably well, I think!!
Last week, up until yesterday actually, we had wonderful house guests, Jenn & Eric, & our sweet nephew Braydon!! They just moved into their home, which they've been buidling & designing for several months, & it's absolutely gorgeous!! Pictures to follow (pending permission) Well, Jon is leaving for a gig in a couple of minutes, & I'm wildly embarking on an organization/design marathon that will most likely last me the entire evening, unless I chicken out & have dinner with my parents, which is definitely always yummy & tempting!! Enjoy your wonderful summer day!!

This is the result my "Beach Room", still to be finished. I love the soft blue of the room against the crisp white coastal accesories!! Nothing says "beach" quite like sea shells, life guard stands, & starfish!!

Vanity Redo in our Master Bathroon : Before
We're almost done assembling & installing the new vanity!!

Home Renovation Adventures : The 1st 2 photos are the before & the 2nd 2 photos are the after although the laundry room still has a short way to go.

Good Morning!! Jon has school today, & due to the fact that my fellow music teachers & I formed a PLC (Professional Learning Community), which takes place of the district in-service being held today, we are exempt from "school", which is kinda sad, in that I always enjoy in-services, but also exciting in that I could definitely use another day extremely wisely by accomplishing several things that I wouldn't ordinarily have the time to accomplish, such as scenery for our middle school show "Seussical The Musical" for which mt current art project is 20 life-size brigthly colored seussian fishies, & a couple of evidently needed home improvement projects, including a new tile floors & modern vanities for both upstairs bathrooms, & cream colored plush carpets in all three bedrooms. (breathe...that was a heck of a long sentence) This morning, we're having measurements taken for these particular projects, then mom & I are heading out to Lowe's to pick up a couple of items & search out two small vanities that are modern & sleek in style, but considerably budget friendly!! Well, it's time for this design-savy weekend warrior to set out on another adventurous journey!!

Good Evening!! Just found out that school is cancelled for tomorrow, which is slightly disappointing in that we'll be losing valuable rehearsal time, but I'm always deeply appreciative of any extra time that can be creatively used for preparation/lesson planning, choir & drama stuff, & home improvement projects of course!! Enjoy your blizzard-like snow day!! To all my students : Miss you guys!! Have a wonderful snowday!! No laziness, sleepiness, or negative energy the next time I see you!! Remember, you can't let circumstances dictate your mood or change your perspective on things!!

Seems like the weather has died down, meaning the every-day hustle and bustle of life will soon be back to normal, which excites me!! But Snowmen still make my heart sing!! Don't forget to enjoy the snow!! (Thanks Mom, for the 1st two pics that I took of your adorable snowmen!!)

Judging by the looks of this ferocious weather, I'm pretty certain I won't be taking a trip to Kohls to buy a new picture for our freshly painted Laundry room? It's funny how much we take fairly nice weather for granted. It seems like everybody waits until the last moment before the storm, then stores are completely mobbed, and everybody quickly gears up for what lies ahead!! Well, I should've done a better job at preparing myself by developing pictures for new photo albums I've been working on, & purchasing the products I needed to complete a couple of minor home renovation projects, so that I could spend every single solitary moment getting things done, although I'm definitely keeping myself busy with laundry, school work, choir music, drama stuff, & my newly renovated blog!! What more could I possibly ask for?

White Valentine's Day!!

There have been many references to "A White Christmas", but "A White Valentine's Day"? Come to think of it, that could definitely be romantic! The thought of you and your honey snuggling up in front of a warm fire, hot cocoa, HGTV,!! I could learn to appreciate this, although Valentine's Day is still a week away. Hope everyone is enjoying their wonderful cozy snow day inside by the fire!! (realistically, folding laundry, grading papers, and lesson plans are what my plans will probably consist of, but it doesn't hurt to dream) There's nothing in the world like being safe and sound in your cozy little home during a ferocious snow storm!!

After much contemplation and inspiration, I've decided that committing myself to this blog is an awesome idea. There are so many amazing blogs & talented bloggers out there, & although I'm not yet experienced with blogging, I'm extremely willing to learn, & I have sooo much to say about everything, as those of you who know me could probably have guessed already!! In time, I'm sure I'll get better and better at "blogging"!!

Good Evening!! I've been thinking a whole lot lately about things in life that truly inspire me; There are so many wonderfully artsy creative designs, items, & most of all, poeple & relationships that people (including myself...very often) take for granted, & with life's constant business, it's considerably difficult to take the necessary time to enjoy so many of these things. On a whim, I decided to showcase a couple of things that inspire me. These are a few of my favorite things!!

FUN!!

GOOD EVENING!! Mom & Dad are enjoying themselves at a wedding & Jon is busy working his patooti off at a Wedding with The Sid Miller Dance Orchestra, & I have the whole evening to myself, it seems, although there's always sooo much to accomplish in soooo little time, if I say so myself!! This has definitely been a cobsiderably busy week, & even though we're not actually working jobs during the day, I still can't seem to manage to get everything done!! It's always extremely fun to try though!! On Thursday, Jon & I took an exciting trip to Cape May for the afternoon & Evening, to visit my buddy Lori, who is living there for the summer (actually until the end of December, now) & performing in several evening shows, at an extremely interesting Dinner Theater, where Jon & I enthusiastically enjoyed a fantastic yummy meal, & then witnessed a considerably interesting performance!! It was definitely an experience!! The day before, we visited Jon's parents in Bethlemhem PA, then spent most of our evening at an exciting music festival, at which Jon performed with a famous Big Band!! That was certainly interesting!! There were all these adorable couples young & old dancing the night away under this gigantic tent, where we were all lounging like lumps as the wonderful Big Band played on & on!! We had a terrific time!! Well, I'm on mom's computer because mine's broken, & I have no access to pics!! Love ya!!

Last Day of School!!

Good Evening Fantastic Fuzzie Friends!! Today was the last day of school (for most districts, I believe) & I definitely feel extremely relieved although I'll certainly miss my three wonderful elementary schools over the summer, as well as next year, since I will be teaching music at Monongahela M.S. beginning September!! Of course, I will finally be able to devote myself entirely to wedding planning & Summer Band, which is definitely exciting!! Well, I'm on my way home to take care of my beautiful darling dear doggie - Jon left for his trip this morning, so It's completely my responsibility to hold up the fort for the rest of the week!! Everyone, enjoy the rest of your week!! This weekend is Cambelle's 2nd Birthday!! I'm so excited!! I totally can't wait to go!!

Father's Day!!

GoOd aFtErnoOn!!!! HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to all those extraordinarily wonderful well-deserving DADS out there in the world!! Today my amazing grandparents are over for dinner, which is extremely exciting!! We're having spaghetti & meatballs - My absolute favorite!! Mom & I have been literally burried in wedding planning but all's going well!! A few weeks ago, Ash, my lovely sister, graduated from William & Mary, & I never got the chance to update my blog!! We'll here's a cute pic!! Love ya!!

GOOD EVENING Fantastic Fuzzie Friends!! Hope everyone's doing extremely well!! This weekend has definitely been busy busy busy!! Jon's had lots & lots of gigs & wedding receptions & I've been attempting, atleast, to devote most of my time to school work & wonderful wedding planning, which is always exciting!! Ths evening, Mom & I spent a couple of extremely worthwhile hours putting together & stuffing wedding envelopes with wedding invitations, (which turned out absolutely stunning!!) The weather's been amazing & I seriously hope it stays this way, atleast most of the week!!! I'm incredibly excited to commence another thrilling week of school & time has been literally flying by!! Before we know it, June will be here; Summer's already just around the corner - How wonderfully exciting!! Well, have a terrific weekend!!

GOOD MORNING Everyone!! I'm home sick from school today, unfortunately, but hopefully after some serious rest & relaxation, I'll feel considerably better!! At least I'll be able to concentrate on Lesson plans, school work, & sleeeep!! I definitely miss my Doggie, who's at Jon's house & is probably ripping her doggie bed to pieces right now!!

GOOD EVENING!! Today was definitely an exceedingly long day - Unfortunately, I'm horribly sick w/a terrible cough & bothersome sore throat...again, but I'm trying extremely hard not to let it get me down; Of course, that doesn't stop my students (who I love) from getting an inch away from me w/questions, comments, tattles, etc, which makes me feel extremely responsible if they catch something from me!! I just can't seem to shake this sickness, but it better be gone by June - I refuse to become Mrs. Botbyl while snorting, sniffling, sneezing & coughing up a lung!! I'm hoping to be back in comission asap!!

On a positive note, Jon & I had a fantastic time this passed weekend, especially at our adorable neices' Cambelle & Chloe's dedication on Sunday morning at Discovery church, then Sunday afternoon at Danielle's mother's house!! There were sooo many adorable babies, the food was absolutely delicious, & her house is absolutely gorgeous!! I love being there - What an enjoyable afternoon!! Jon's family is completely awesome & I love spending time w/them, especially my little buddy Brayden, & his toy trains!!

I've been trying extremely hard to prepare for my 1st Grade Spring Concert, which is 3 weeks away!! The students are totally excited, & we've been working really hard on our music!!

My lovely "Long Lost" sister Katie & me!!

gReEtInGs!! This is a picture of Jon & me at Chris & Lauren Barone's Wedding on March 1st!!

Yay!!

Mom & I just arrived home from an extraordinarily fantastic exciting day of shopping, which wasn't necessarily planned, but of course one thing leads to another & before you know it, you're completely infatuated with the whole idea of finding amazing deals & discovering unique treasures & home decor that makes a HUGE statement!! I was also lucky enough to come across an adorably sweet dress for Miss Cambelle, my fashionable flowergirl!! Well, I'm definitely lookin forward to loads of school work which will certainly keep me busy for the remainder of the evening!! Jon's busy playing a gig with a new group tonight!!

Good Morning!!

Good Morning!!! Hope everyone's doing wonderfully well & having a great weekend!! Can't believe it's Sunday already!! It's off to Church!!

SALUTATIONS Wonderful Friends -This is definitely the perfect night to commence the "BotbylSmile" Blog, which I'm incredibly excited about. Although I won't officially be a "Botbyl" until June 27th, there's nothing wrong with getting a little head start. I'm just about to run to CVS in order to develop my "Magnificent Musician of The Month" Pictures (so that I can post them outside my music classroom early tomorrow morning before my students arrive), & eagerly assemble my Prize Baggies, which need to look appealing to the students. Just thought I'd spend a few worthwhile minutes enthusiastically creating my 1st posting. Have an exquisite evening & a terrific Tuesday. Apparently "Exclamation Points", my absolute favorite form of punctuation are not permitted; I will try extremely hard to communicate my positive energy in other ways. By the way, How exactly do you add photos to your Blog Page??