red 2: spc

reflections in a red truck: yet another shot taken while out on a walk. i decided to see if i could get a red reflection, and a few other cool effects came out of it too.

relaxed spirit

well, the day has been full of relaxation and my soul filled up with this christmas spirit. after the set up of my 18 inch tree, and the wrapping of all of the gifts for my class and secret santa, i read a good book cuddled up under the blanket that my mom made for us as a housewarming. i was filled with warmth and calm, knowing that i have only a three day week ahead and christmas is already packed in our suitcase. i feel such satisfaction.

todd and i settled in for a romantic evening of martinis and indulged as only grown-ups can, with vodka and sugar rimmed glasses. my sectret santa gave me swizzle sticks, and while you can't swizzle a martini, i still had fun getting them out and arranging them in christmas order. we exchanged only one small gift today in our own private little christmas,
christmas bliss.

abstractions

professional development

my training over the last few days has actually been fascinating, as well as practical.
we learned about phonics and the sounds of language. we learned about why english is seemingly crazy and we've worked at understanding the patterns and codes of the language- that as we learn to read and spell, most of us just intuit. its been interesting to learn about rules you didn't know existed and the relationship between our understanding and our reading and our writing and our vocabulary and our comprehension. we did a lot of fun activities to demonstrate. we analyzed kids' work to see where they were deficient and how we could best support them.
it was everything you learn in grad school and don't understand--- revisited in a way that makes sense once you've been in the classroom and worked with struggling readers who don't just intuit the stuff. i am feeling refreshed. i feel like i have a whole new tool box to work from.
now its back into the grind to see how i can make it all work.
that is, as soon as this fog burns off...

close-ups

another attempt for photography class: close-ups and patterns in nature. it has been really fun to have these assignments. they have made me look for and try a lot of different things. tonight is the last class, and i think i'll miss it. so if you have any assignments for me, i'm all ears... photographic assignments, i mean. :-)

red 1: spc

i have had a hard time finding red, until today when i went on a walk.
now you see my silhouette in red.
i love this process of looking and finding and discovering. that is the fun of taking pictures.

walking in a winter wonderland

so, this is what december looks like here in maryland. no snow yet, but our first signs of ice are here. todd and i took mollie for a 45 degree walk today, and she got in the water, as always. she's been out sunbathing since, and i am in baking up chex mix and writing lesson plans for my substitute. ah, sunny days...

crafters delight

my friend, robin, sent me this fabric a while back and i have been wondering what i could do with it. well, this year maggie is getting a doll crib for christmas so auntie em is making a doll blanket to go on maggie's baby. she doesn't check my blog, so i can post the project in progress. :-)

imagine

it's been busy here, crafting, creating for christmas. i can't post those pictures because i don't want to spoil the surprises. :-) i am feeling very cozy and at home, and am just enjoying cuddling up and dreaming of the christmas fun to come. (imagine me under a large pile of fabric)

work has been challenging, but doesn't raise my blood pressure in quite the same way anymore, so i guess we are coming to a comfort zone. parent-teacher conference day was on monday, but only 5 out of 11 scheduled conferences showed up. a disappointing turn-out, but what do you do? (imagine me, conferencing with myself)

their winter concert was on thursday and they all shouted their little hearts out, christmas carols and snowman songs at the top of their lungs. joyous music. that also meant high energy all week. (imagine 100 small voices shouting: deck the halls, fa la la la la la la la la...)

next week i am off to a professional development for three days. thursday will be out of whack when i have to come back, but i am hoping a substitute will survive three days in my room without getting eaten alive. i am hoping i survive two upon my return. (imagine spitballs and swears and small children break dancing during your lessons)

last night todd and i were out for a bit of culture. we went to see the baltimore symphony orchestra's presentation of handel's messiah. todd was ready to leave at intermission, but i forced him to stay, i mean, we had to find out how the story ended, right? a baby is born to mary, and he is the son of god--- and then you just leave without finding out the end of the story? i couldn't have handled the suspense.
i really did enjoy it. the music. the atmosphere. the warmth and the singing lulling me to sleep.

today is more cozy times and final touches on christmas preparations. maybe some hot cocoa...

Updates

For my friends out there who check my blog, here's sneak peak of the christmas card photo session that i forced todd and mollie to endure today. i love holiday cards, and photo ones especially. you will all get to see our glowing faces this holiday season.


Otherwise, the week-end has been mellow. we have been enjoying mild weather and the other teachers and i have loved being out in short sleeves for recess duty this week.

todd and i are back in the car market and went out browsing today, in case we trade in two to downsize to one... we've fallen in love with a Honda CR-V with leather seats, so we'll see where that takes us. we are looking for half way between the Honda Element and my VW Golf.

I finished lesson plans today so tomorrow it will be craft central here. I am busting into holiday gear.

Tonight its off to St. Michael's for Midnight madness with the girls from work. I can't remember the last time I've been up until midnight. Last night I was out for the count at 7 on the couch. Maybe that means I am rested up. :-)

Peace, y'all. I am thinking of you this time of year.