The one with the finish line of sorts

I thoroughly enjoy the sense of productivity and accomplishing tasks.

While I've been getting over this bout of sickness, I still need to be productive, busy, and doing something.

I was bummed to miss a day trip to Brewster with a few of the girls and pups, but I knew I needed to take it easy this weekend.

Saturday was spent working on and in the house--laundry, changing the sheets, grocery shopping, and siding. We treated ourselves to pinkberry after a long and productive day. (The siding is almost done...)

Sunday morning Justin and I ran the Jeff Coombs Memorial 5K in Abington. We beat our personal bests= 34:56 (lucky?)



We returned back to the house for housework, school work, and football. A lovely Sunday.

Here's to a four day week--we both have Thursday off for Justin's Ferrari drive!

The one with the back-to-school, 5K prep, twice weekly baking, and house siding

Our first 5-day school week has been going pretty steady and smooth. I've tried a few new routines and improved a few activities and it's been nice to see the change go so smoothly.

I'm sick.

I hate being sick.

It slows me down, and I don't like to slow down.

[Rewind 6 days]

Sarah, Leah, Momma, and I spent the weekend in Wells and Ogunquit, Maine and enjoyed gorgeous beach and poolside weather. (Not to mention some schmying and buying in the Kittery Outlets.)

Drake's Beach Saturday morning

Whipped up these guys for the MP staff for the Patriots' season opener Monday night. (They were good luck charms--they won!)


Tuesday night, the girls met in Wrentham to celebrate Danielle and E's birthday.

Last night Justin and I ran Sunday's 5K route after work. It's a bit hilly, but I'm glad we did a test run--no pun intended. I beat my personal best from May's 5K. So that's exciting.

Baked a batch of cupcakes for the secretary's birthday, and could not have been more eager to get.home.

The afternoon iced coffee, sweats, DVR, and a magazine served as some well-needed r&r but of course that didn't last too long. After an LA Ink and Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta, I was sweeping the house-- dog hair (ugh!)--and ripping siding from the garage.

Dinner is in the oven, and I couldn't be happier that tomorrow is Friday and a Jeans Day.

The one with a view of the classroom

Take a peek at Room 16--my second home for the next nine months.

main door to the classroom

bulletin board by the entrance

view from the door

classroom library

another shot of the classroom library

reading library and two book nooks

writing center

desks and SmartBoard from the classroom library

The one with the backpack swap and frozen Little Hug

Teachers have First Day Jitters too! Had an excited/anxious sleep last night, so I am pleased to have Day 1 in the bag!

If Mrs. Mack wrote a book it would follow a bit like this:

Chapter 1: Operation Backpack Swap

(A boy's backpack got switched at morning recess and he realized it once the children (excitedly) emptied their backpacks of crisp, new school supplies and he did not recognize the school supplies or snack packed inside.)

Chapter 2: Frozen Drinks

(A mom froze a child's Little Hug juice and come snack time...it was still frozen. Frozen sugar water does little to quench an eight-year-old's thirst.)

Chapter 3: Where Did He Go?

(Young boy from said backpack swap left our classroom for the daycare room at dismissal. The daycare supervisor never saw him. They paged for him. He was found shortly after outside with the crossing guard.)

Chapter 4: Screwed

(We heard/found a screw in the rear left tire of my car last night.My afternoon led me to a local mechanic in town who was exceptionally friendly and welcoming and plugged the tire.)

Chapter 5:

Can't Pay With Good Looks Alone (Attempted to check out at Stop and Shop (yayy for milk and dairy products post-Irene) without my wallet--conveniently back in the car from the aforementioned mechanic visit.)

Chapter 6: Run Like the Wind

(Ended the afternoon with a 28-minute run for Week 8 with the husband. We registered for our first 5k together--18 days away!!)


To end on a sweet note...

Tweet! Tweet! It's back to school!

the whole nest

The one with the housewarming

The weekend of our anniversary we dined at Atlantica and ventured to Newport the next day for a rained-out sail that we will reschedule. We did make the trip worthwhile by stopping at Cupcake Charlie's for some anniversary sweets.

Monday night we made an amazing roasted chicken with scalloped potatoes and enjoyed the top tier of our wedding cake while reading guestbook wedding wishes.


Justin presented me with a navy blue scrapbook that he started using a few of his favorite wedding photos. His hope is that we finish it together. Aw. As the first wedding anniversary is paper, I took a picture of our marriage license and wedding bands, had it enlarged and printed and I framed it!

Courtesy of the amazing creativity found on etsy I had this wooden plaque made and customized to tell our love story.


The following weekend we went to Kerri and Steve's for dinner and a movie. Lincoln's Lawyer wasn't quite what I had expected, but the company made up for it.

The next day was our official housewarming. We were pleasantly surprised by the turnout of friends and family given that it was a gorgeous summer weekend. Some highlights from the day (inspired by pinterest) are...

barbeque cupcakes

a twist on the veggie tray--a colorful veggie bar!


color palette/ paint sample utensil pouches

our housewarming "guestbook"

"his and hers" landscaping gifts from Meme


the gorgeous flowers and plants guests gave us to "help our garden grow"

To cap off a fabulous weekend, Kerri, Steve, Becca, Danielle, Justin and I kicked off Restaurant Week at Marliave's downtown. Delicious.


The last week of camp brought cleaning, organizing and many "see-you-next-summer"s. The Cupcake Club's finale were campout cupcakes.

On this day last year...

I got ready with my favorite girls.

I couldn't wait until the moment I got to see Justin at the end of the aisle.



I vowed, I, Rachel, take you Justin, to be my best friend, my lover, my husband. I pledge to honor, encourage, and support you through our walk together. When our way becomes difficult, I promise to stand by you and uplift you, so that through our union we can accomplish more than we could alone. I promise to work at our love and always make you a priority in my life. I will be yours in times of plenty and in times of want, in times of sickness and in times of health, in times of joy and in times of sorrow. As I have given you my hand to hold, so I give you my life to keep. With every beat of my heart, I will love you.




I married my best friend.

I celebrated our love and happiness with our closest friends and family.



We remembered those who danced with us from the heavens.

The details all came together.

We had a ball.


We eagerly anticipated our Bermudan honeymoon.


We started our lives together as husband and wife.




And the beat goes on...

Excited about.... 2.0

Vegas in November