Slipping into summer

June 30th, 2009 by joy

Saturday was spent wandering around Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, enjoying cool treats, and laughing our asses off at the Comedy Factory.

We found more fun on Sunday at the American Visionary Art Museum.  There were amazing creations, both inside and out.

And, found the Hampden neighborhood for a yummy lunch.  A very lucky tree grows on that street:

{I am thinking that one of my trees wishes to have a similar look…more on that later}

So. We returned home, happy as ever to be on this journey together.  Then, we packed up and headed over to our friends’ house/farm.  Tim, Dawn, and their very adorable daughter, Eddy, are vacationing this week.  Their property has been blogged about before, and I could go on and on about this awesome place.

But instead, I am surrounded by books. Yep, I am just going to disappear in them for a while.


Here’s the inventory:

craft books

Linen, Wool, Cotton

Toys to Sew

Last-Minute Fabric Gifts

In Stitches

Patchwork Style

Seams to Me

Weekend Sewing

food books

A Homemade Life

Moosewood Restuarant New Classics

novels

Farewell, My Subaru

The Story of a Marriage

Bright, Shiny Morning

And! in the black bag, is the Right to Write.  I am keeping a notebook and pen with this book; for over a month now, I’ve been loving this book–mentioned it several times, and shared with friends.

What good reads do you have your hands on right now?

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June 26

June 26th, 2009 by joy

A special day around here, as it is our wedding anniversary.  Kevin and I are celebrating five (!) years of marriage.  So far,

I made Kevin a card, sharing lots of feelings.

Put the finishing touches on the patchwork picture frame–a gift to my photograph-loving husband!

Got it all wrapped, and started setting our table.

Our bags are laid out, ready to get packed for a weekend getaway.

I’ll be back after the weekend…fill yours with lots of peace, love, and happiness too!

Posted in celebrations, family having 3 comments »

Looking back

June 23rd, 2009 by joy

Reflecting.  I tend to do this often, in one form or another.  Embracing  happy memories, realizing answers to questions asked long ago, applying past experiences to present circumstances, or to contemplate “what to do next.”

Here I am, excited to the bones, on summer vacation.  Absolutely delighted to have two months off.  Wanting to accomplish  a nearly impossible an impressive list!  Feeling very grateful for this time; a desire to savor every moment.

And you know what else?  A little sadness.  No more seeing my kiddos.  Missing new discoveries and interesting stories.  Time with fabulous friends, making it through the school day together!

No doubt about it though, I’m ready for a break!  Tired, weary, burned out,  just plain taught out.

(This is longer than I ever expected…excuse the rambling!)

My job as a special education teacher means I’m assigned a caseload of students.  (This year, I had 8 first graders.  They are all impacted by various disabilities.)  I write and manage an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for each student; before this plans “goes into effect,” I run a meeting with my assistant principal, a general education teacher, the student’s parents, and any therapists or service providers that may also work with the student.  The IEP first identifies strengths and weaknesses for the child in 7 areas of personal and academic categories.  Then, year-long goals for the child are recommended, addressing weaknesses.  Around page 14 or so, I then suggest a list of accommodations for the student to receive, as well as the overall services that he/she should receive, to best access the curriculum and make progress on his/her IEP goals.  Usually, everyone on the team agrees to the proposed paperwork, it’s signed, and then I am responsible for making sure it all gets carried out.  So we can do it again next year.

So this year, my kids averaged around 7 goals each.  I try to notice their independent progress relative to these goals, and of course I plan activities that require specific knowledge or skills.  I do most of this while in a general education teacher’s classroom.  So we plan lessons and activities together when possible, so his/her curriculum objectives are presented to the class while my students with special needs participate in meaningful learning experiences that best benefit them.

We are given 30 minutes to 1 hour each day as planning periods.  Dealing with the above responsibilities are typically the top priority.  Of course when developing ideas for the classroom, that also involves lots of materials, supplies, and preparation.  And, communicating all this to my teaching assistant takes time too.  Parents email.  They call.  Other teachers schedule you for meetings.  Some of my students require remediation–a little time in the resource room to review assignments.  Some of my students have challenging behaviors that need to be addressed.  With the principal.  I occasionally go to the bathroom.

Somehow, it does all get done.  Those kids start as 6 year old newbies, and turn into 7 year old student-pros!  They can read, add, subtract, play a group game without any adult intervention, find anything on google, walk in a mostly quiet line, make up their own silly songs, buy lunch, produce and star in a rendetion of “Three Billy Goats Gruff,” name national symbols, make, sell, and buy goods at Market Day, listen to chapter books, and give a compliment to each and every one of their classmates.

Posted in celebrations, me, school having 2 comments »

Teachers just wanna have fun

June 16th, 2009 by joy

Especially us two.

Caitie (hottie with the gold legwarmers) has been a teacher since 2003.  Her extraordinary personality graces the job–I know she works hard to make a difference– a positive, importance impact on kids’ lives.  I love dishing about school with her; we always have a moment for an elementary tale.

Knowing how hectic the end of the year mode becomes, she found a perfect evening to balance that out!  Caitie’s soccer team was going to see the Legwarmers, and she invitied me along.  What a fun concert–’80s gear everywhere you turned, Madonna look-alikes in the bathroom, glow in the dark neon, and the notorious sounds of NKOTB blasting onstage.

I suppose they’re signs of summer….

3 days till Friday, 3 days till Friday, almost there, etc…

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With a needle and thread

June 2nd, 2009 by joy

(powered by a sewing machine, of course),and an easy to follow pattern/guide, I was able to turn this fabric

into a comfortable pair of pajamas.

So now, it’s back to the needle and thread sewing machine to work on the next batch of projects…

Posted in crafts, in my studio having 2 comments »

Midwest Memorial

May 25th, 2009 by joy

Grandpa Miller (Kevin’s maternal grandfather) was laid to rest in peace this past Saturday.

We joined his wife, 7 children and their spouses, 28 grandchildren and their spouses, and 30 great-grandchildren in Illinois to celebrate 90 years of life.

The legacy left behind is strong in love, faith, community, and generosity. I feel very lucky and blessed to be a part of such a kind family.

After a special service, everyone headed back to Grandma’s house on the river to spend quality time together.  This included fishing, eating, story-telling, and dodge ball tournaments.

Cousins, aunts and uncles were aplenty–and such a pleasure to get to know.  Everyone was sentimental about Leo and we learned even more about Kevin’s amazing grandfather.  On the flight home, I kept imagining heaven…and how many beautiful souls fill it up.

Posted in family, trips having 2 comments »

Directions

May 17th, 2009 by joy

Another recent revelation of mine:  I love directions.

As a teacher of young children, I say them, write them, repeat them, clarify them, simplify them and model them. all. the. time.  Directions in school are to keep you and everyone else safe, to make sense of a 7 hour day, and of course, to guide you as you learn and practice new skills.

As a crafter, I desperately need them!  I have lots of books that provide detailed descriptions of projects and techniques, tutorials saved on my computer, and even my own sketchbook filled with ideas and steps.  Acquiring the skills and knowledge to make something on my own makes for a meaningful process.  I do “Bend the Rules” occasionally, and just figure out how to make something look the way I want it to without a reference.  That is the strong influence of my friend, creative-genius, and determined spirit, Heidi.  Maybe from her I’ve learned when to break rules and follow my own direction!

As a homemaker, I rely on the direction of older, wiser souls that have feed, provided, and maintained domesticity and family bliss!  My grandma, Nana, is an expert in the kitchen, experienced sewer, and spotless cleaner (a little more than I aspire to do–sorry baseboards).  My mom also managed to keep a beautifully maintained, warm home, filled with delicious snacks and meals, activities to fill our time and minds, and welcoming to anyone who came over.  My dad used his resourcefulness to keep everything running!  He has a garage and toolshed filled with tools and equipment–he is the handyman with a plan.  The directions given by their examples are to enjoy your family, your home, your life.  Keep it simple.  Live, love, laugh.  Repeat.

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Mission(s):

May 11th, 2009 by joy

accomplished.  I seem to (suddenly) feel relief.  Weight off my shoulders, and weight off my mind.  A big sigh.

Most of the moments that make up my life are full of happiness, wonder, laughter, love, friendship and amazement.  The other moments, however– the ones where unexpected challenges arise, disappointment enters, and uncertainty threatens to take over—well, they exist too.

I’ve been busy trying to keep the balance between the moments.  Preferably, it would be like 95% good stuff and 5% kinda tough stuff.  Yeah, that seems right.  And, that is what today finally feels like–full of the right balance.

Where my perspective is one of counting blessings, of strong belief, and of acceptance.  Realizing what lies ahead for me is unknown, and it is unfolding one day–one beautiful day–at a time.

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3 truths and 1 lie

April 14th, 2009 by joy


* it was a wonderfully warm, sunny spring day today

* bottled water is bad

* i was kicked by a student today

* i am not going on vacation tomorrow

Posted in otherwise joyful, school having 2 comments »

Happy Easter, happy spring!

April 12th, 2009 by joy

before:

cards I put in some of the eggs

my brother, Jesse, and I hid 54

during:

Julian and Molly along with their friends, head out after the rain

after eating lots of good food, it seemed time to decorate cookies

after:

spring nature table

Our Easter celebration lasted all weekend!  We had a wonderful time with everyone who came, and of course, missed family and friends far away.  As spring continues to brighten, and the warmth of renewed hope brings promise to every day, I feel so happy–hope you do too!

Posted in celebrations, family, in my studio, me having 3 comments »