What a difference a day makes....

If I had posted only 48 hours ago I might have had a title such as:
Spring - do we dare hope?

The weather has been absolutely PERFECT for this 3 day off thanks to President's Day weekend. These were the sort of days I liked to call a "Boulder Day" for Boulder, Colorado, because when I spent my childhood summers in Colorado with my grandfather, everyday was a "Boulder Day"; cool in the morning but would warm up to just the right temperature and not a cloud in the sky. For Florida residents, a Boulder Day also includes no humidity and mosquito free. The weather was so perfect this weekend that I might also call it a "T-top day" for those who own Trans Ams and Cameros or a "bikini top day" for Jeep owners or in my case, it was a "sun roof" day in my smokin' hot Hyundai Sante Fe!

If I had posted only 24 hours ago, I might have had a title such as:
Photoshop success at this weekend's retreat

Oh my gosh, isn't that the coolest photo?!!
My wonderful friend Sue volunteers her time every Saturday and then some at The Big Cat Rescue in Tampa, FL. She gave us one of her first tours almost two years ago now and ever since then I have wanted to figure out how to super-impose two photos together; one of her and one of a big cat......
Woohoo, I finally did it!

But now I sit here to post....
and today.....
I might have a title such as
"God Will Always Provide" or
"Easy Come Easy Go" then again how about
"Momma Got a New Washin' Machine" or
"Don't Take Modern Conveniences for Granted" but then again
"Sewing Machines Don't Wash Clothes" might be a good one too....

Okay, I admit, thanks to our students working really, really, did I mention really hard on there standardized testing, our school received an "A" grade. And along with the "A" the school gets $. Then the faculty and staff decide how "best" to spend that $.....and of course, not because of my vote, but the $ always comes back to the teachers as bonuses......

(I feel strongly that the students should reap the rewards of their hard work. Of course they will leave with a good education, but we could provide more technology to them, more no cost after school tutoring, computer labs for the primary students, picnic areas, covered play areas, more books, more pencils, more stickers.....something! But I am a hypocrite, because as soon as that $ is in my bank account I am ready to spend it on me!)

This week's paycheck included my share of that A money and I quickly began dreaming of that new sewing machine I've been wanting, or maybe I better get that new point and shoot camera to replace my dying one, or maybe treat myself to a new Nook ereader.......

get real

Saturday I learn that our 13 year old washing machine, which has certainly done it's fair share of about a million and one loads of laundry was leaking water onto the floor.....and so, tonight as I finish up this blog post, there is a quite hum of a new washing machine, finishing up what I hope is it's first load of about a million loads of laundry......

Night all.
My High Heels to Tractor Wheels book is still wonderful.
I have conscientiously slowed down my reading so I don't run out of pages too soon.
I also was heart broken to read on her blog that she will be slowing down in her posts.
What will I do without my daily dose of P-dub?
What will I do without her inspiration?
Looks like I'll have to focus my energy elsewhere....
oh yeah, I do still have a yearbook deadline to meet;
art to prepare for hanging at the sumter co. fair;
66 thank you cards to make for the volunteer reception;
360 students to teach;
AND THEN THERE'S ALWAYS A FINAL YEARBOOK DEADLINE TO MEET;
I guess I'll get by.

Melle

Black Heels to Tractor Wheels

No time to post tonight. I'm reading. I'm reading a BOOK! Oh so sweet.
Thank you Mommy!
I thought I would wait to purchase The Pioneer Woman's latest book for when I had hoped to met her during her book tour to the southeast area....but thanks to a little nudge from my mom I got to purchase the book today. I've only had a chance to read for the past hour, but I am on chapter 5 already! :) Woohoo!
So, I'll be back.....but probably not until I'm done.
Night, night.

A Monumental Day

As I said on Facebook this evening, "today is a monumental day".....
-I've submitted half of our school yearbook today (two days before the deadline....well, two days before the extended deadline)

-I've updated my classroom blog (complete with a short animoto video and a new banner across the top)

-I've caught the laundry up (thanks to Scott taking the week off and tackling many major chores around here)

-I've cooked dinner (just tacos - easy peasy)

-and low and behold, it looks as though I'll add a post to this blog as well.....with......tada....a photo (or two) of the Valentine gift tags I finished yesterday for McKenna's teacher gifts.

I've always loved this stamp that says "hugs and kisses" and not that I haven't done some version of this before, but I plan to fill the little tin buckets with Hershey's Hugs and Kisses candy - yum! A treat I'd be happy to get any day. :o)

Also, updated news on the girls:
Andrea's tennis team will have their first match (or two actually) this week and it looks like McKenna will be a munchkin in our high school's production of Wizard of Oz. Sounds like it will be a great opportunity for a lot of fun and some special memories. It will come with challenges though. Some rehearsals fall at the same time as Andrea's home matches and parents are expected to purchase tickets for each one of their performances.....there are 4. Tickets are either $10 or $25 for the dinner show. Of course, depending on what perspective I take, I guess that isn't too bad....Andrea's cost for swim and tennis teams adds up to much more than that.
I imagine I might be a Wizard of Oz expert before this is over :o)
"Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore."

Love to all,
Melle

Just Babble

Still no real post this evening; no photos either (boohoo)

The good news, although I'm on the eve of the most busiest months of the year (work wise), I am still healthy and have almost completely recovered from my cold, from being exhausted and from burning my lips off!

And so, "busy" around here this time is defined by:
-Andrea's tennis season has started - it will end April 8th
-McKenna wants to be a munchkin in the high school's production of The Wizard of Oz - that would end the last week in April.
-the first yearbook deadline was extended from Jan. to Feb. 8th - half the book due, no if, ands or buts this time
- the second half of the yearbook is due in March
-the first of March - artwork due up at the Sumter Co. Fair
-the first of April - thank you cards due for the Volunteer Reception
-and the big finale - the student artshow in the month of April (which now includes, not one but two evenings filled with sidewalk chalk and student performances)
-oh, and then there will be Valentine, Easter and Teacher Appreciation gifts in there....

Good news, I've caught up on entering grades again, but continue to be behind on my classroom blog! I made time tonight, but blogger wasn't cooperating - frustrating......

And we saw the Green Hornet on date night (that's news in itself, date night); I didn't care for it, thought it was silly, but Scott liked it....

okay, in hopes of keeping myself "healthy", I'm off to bed.
Best wishes All,
Love,
Melle

In this big, big world,

there is lil ol' me.

Out there in the world, it's been a rough start to the new year.
Major flooding in Australia;
Devastating mudslides in Brazil;
Snow in 49 states;
Blizzards in the northeast and
a very tragic shooting rampage in Arizona.

I can't imagine; I can't imagine what it must be like.
I am so grateful for my warm little bed.
I am so grateful for my safe home and
I am so grateful for my family and friends.

But here, in my own little world, it too, has been a rough start to the new year.
Sick.
Sick with a cold;
Sick with exhaustion.
And then, sick with something I hope I never have again, only I'm not exactly sure what happened. My guess is, after a combination of different ointment to treat a cold sore, I essentially burned my lips. Weird. I know. But let me tell you, painful. So very painful.

I am, thankfully, almost recovered.
What I hope I remember from this 17 day experience, is that I hope I never take sleep and rest for granted again. I hope, I can keep them a priority in my life because so much depends on them.

Okay, yeah!
Finally the end of my pity party!

When I started blogging, there was this unspoken vow (or perhaps I did say it out loud),
but this was not to be a place of my personal ramblings.
It was however a place to share stuff we do.

And with that, this Saturday, the four of us got to do something together and it was a nice day.
There was a Scottish festival near Orlando and I got to snap a few photos.

(Nope, I don't know this little boy, or his dad. I just thought it was a neat moment.)

At the very end of the day's ceremonies, all the bands who competed, play as a "mass band". It is amazing to hear and splendid to see. Goose bumps. It gives me goose bumps every time.


I'm grateful to have the time to play with these few and I look forward to the time when I can play some more.

Night to all.
And thank you.

Melle

The way I'm feeling....

......stressed......
.....overwhelmed.....
......exhausted.......
......frustrated.......

but we all feel that way;
maybe, from time to time,
(or do we feel that way a little too often)
so, I don't mean to have a pity party
so, am I making excuses?

I was telling my mom today that "I'm in a blogging slump",
but I don't think that is it at all. Actually, I have plenty I want to blog about; lots of ideas; it's actually something I think about frequently. And if I'm not thinking about what I want to post on the blog, then I'm searching other blogs so I can gather more ideas.
Egad! What is wrong with me?
Because this post is still turning into.....ready for it.....
another blog post about why I don't have time to post!

So I won't.
I won't go eat that dinner that is waiting for me in the kitchen.
I won't finish entering those grades that are due this week.
I won't finish the PowerPoint I need for my lesson first thing tomorrow morning.
I won't write up that MIP paperwork that has been due for several months.
I won't work on another yearbook page.
I won't write even one lesson plan ('cuz I've only written 3 all year).
I won't go finish another load of laundry.
I won't do all these things, this Sunday night, until I officially write a legitimate post!

ADMIRE vs. ENVY

admire - to regard with wonder, pleasure or approval.

envy - an emotion that occurs when a person lacks another's achievement.

I admire those who can keep a clean house, but I envy those who work from home.
I admire talented photographers, but envy their fancy cameras and big lenses.
I admire those who can use Photoshop, but envy those who can use Photoshop.

I envy those who have lots of paints, inks, canvases and gel mediums at their fingertips, and admire those who know what to do with it.
I envy those who have tapped into the internet through blogging and websites to share their passion, and admire those who have.
I envy those who are creative, and admire those who do something with it.

The truth is, I feel creative, I'm just frustrated that I can't seem to find the time to finish anything or the means to complete them.

Now, don't worry and don't read too much into all this blubbering.
It's just the way I'm feeling....tonight. Sunday night.
It's the usual feeling of,
"I'm not quite done. I'm not quite ready. If I only only had just one more day....".

And on that note:
Since "express yourself" is my "word" for this year,
may I share this from last weekend,

and this one from yesterday.

Donna Downey says "inspiration can't happen unless you are doing something", she also encourages us to play in our inspiration journals at least once a week.....here's to next week!
Best wishes everyone,
Melle

Happy New Year 2011!!!

That's me...typical, a day late and a dollar short...
Happy New Year everyone!
I'm afraid we've all started our new year off with colds, so that continues to set me back a little from what I had hoped to have accomplished by now.....well, that's my excuse and I'm stickin' to it!

My "word" for 2011.....
well, I've thought on it a lot....
I even got Scott involved in thinking about it with me....

And although I thought of plenty, I'm breakin' the rules and actually using two words for this year:
"Express yourself"

I'll explain more.
but for now......

back to the grindstone tomorrow.....happy .....and sad......

Love,
Melle
(I'll explain the blue on my next post :))