Officially school's out!!!!!! 11 days!!

I would be out on that deck taking a selfie of me in the warm sunshine, gloating over the first day of official summer vacation, but I would be a little cold out there today.  And there is no actual sunshine right now.  Perhaps a peep of sun, but nothing celebratory, let me tell you.  However, one way or another- I will be having a moment of fun, as the Mad-English teacher is on his way up.  Mother Nature is not cooperating with our Bayfield trip, but it looks like finally tomorrow will be working.

This was the cloud bank headed my way yesterday!  I beat it home though I was a mile away

Wednesday is sort of my cut off date for goofing off, as after that I have some appointments and stuff in the works, and I have to do some serious organizing so I can go on a shopping trip if I need to.

Done done done

ANYWAY,  I am DONE with my 2015-16 school year including ordering supplies for my 2016-17 school year.  I don't have to go back except to water my tree next week and then after that I guess it is a. on its own and b. hopefully my janitor friends will water it once a week.  That was a big relief yesterday, when I finally finished.  I did most of it at school in the morning, but I packed it in at 11:30 after 3 hours and came home.  I finished it during one of the many rain events yesterday- which was good, as I could sit and think about what I was missing.

So as near as I can figure, I should be seeing the Michelangelo "David" 2 weeks from today or tomorrow....  Epic stuff people!!!  AND a few days after that we will be stopping by Pompeii- which I can't even speak about.  Wow.  SO cool.

Last night it took me a long time to calm my brain down and stop thinking thinking thinking about all this stuff.  I have a feeling this is going to be my normal for a while.  So I should get going and begin my day, I have some things!  :)

Have yourself a joyful day!

13 days- mind clutter abounds

Instead of my usual end of school euphoria, I am feeling like nothing is over yet.  My synapses are firing like crazy, and that led to not the most restful sleep and waking at 5 am thinking I had to go to work today....  **massive eyeroll**  If it was not raining  for the millionth time in the last 3 weeks, I would be on my way to BAYFIELD right now.  GRRRRR.  That particular trip helps me put a period onto the end of the school year sentence....  oh well.  I will go in and finish my rooms up today, use the rainy day in a useful way.

And this, boys and girls,  is what it looks like when it is not raining 

So we had some excitement in our town yesterday, and while rumors circulated wildly,  (some of the younger peeps around are sure that this only happens up here- LMAO- oh you guys will understand someday- things are exactly the same everywhere) there were a couple guys who were in some way involved in a drug bust- and wow that story has swung back and forth a few times- ran off into the woods behind the McDonalds.  One was caught by the police dogs (I bet that was not fun) and the other gave himself up after spending the day in the mosquito infested, rainy, wet glory that are the swamps of northern Wisconsin.  AND they were from Florida, so I bet he got a little cold too.  The effect of all of this is that our town was in a soft lock down for the morning, the kids at school were having a heart FAILURE over the thought of having to stay in the building even a minute longer than they had to, and it generally gave everyone a vague sense of unease.  As stupid as this sounds, (and we all know that I just don't care how stupid any of my ramblings sound) I was a little creeped out by the whole thing when I went to get the mail after the MA got home.  And then I find out way later the second guy was caught/gave up down the road from here - probably a half mile.....  All this mostly took place about 1.5 miles away.  BUT our law enforcement did a great job and seriously they are such good people.  So, a big thanks to them.

Any who, last night I did a little relaxing- perhaps had a yummy glass of adult liquid refreshment as we watched some goofy movie (crocodile dundee?? I really didn't watch much) and I read up on a bunch of Italy stuff (shocking, I know).  I am going to make up a little tiny presentation for the students on Wednesday when we have our final pre-italy meeting, so I have been searching for a good image to use  to introduce some of the architectural features that a guide may discuss  Architecture is not my gig, except I do enjoy a good Greek Doric column or a variation thereof, but I am giving it my best efforts.  I had to find myself a highlighter last night, as I can hardly not highlight the parts I find important in each section- oh that higher education stuff is always bubbling under the surface.  I believe we may not be seeing a whole lot of Gothic architecture, so I don't have to discuss flying buttresses or anything (I LOVE THAT STUFF THO) but there are lots of Renaissance things to review and some ancient-- so some basics will be fine. Post and lintel, arches, columns, domes, blah blah blah.  I'm going for the "whet your interests" sort of effect, instead of the "eyes rolling into the back of your head with drool forming on the corner of your mouth" effect.  hehe

So I was thinking about what I was going to link for my art feature of Italy for today- I can't help but think about all those equestrian statues.  I just loved learning about them back when I was in my dark sleepy art history class that was God Forbid at 9 in the am usually. What the hell were those professors thinking??  I had 2- 3 Tabs lined up in front of me on some days, depending on the night before- just to stay awake.  Wow, that is a blast from the past!  First- omg- Tab- ew. That was some nasty junk- ugh.  And second- well, I don't drink soda anymore, so that gives me sort of a moment too.... Anyway, as cliché as it may seem, even back there I was all about the horses!

My plan for the day is to finish my rooms and then see what happens.  I could be at school all day depending on how involved I get in this.  But it is all good.  I am actually really looking forward to reading my Michelangelo book this afternoon.  And I will start laying all my stuff out for the trip!!  Woo HOO  Talk about a joy!!!

School's out baby!! AND 2 WEEKS!!!

WHAT?? 2 weeks??????  SERIOUSLY??  I am blown away this morning.  That seems silly since I have been doing a count down now for what?  2 weeks I guess.  But I know it is Friday and when I went to figure the weeks instead of days- well, that is amazing.  The one pressing thing on my list is the need to go shopping for a few items of clothing now- and shoes.  

Little spider I saw on a daisy during my walk last night

AND I found this awesome book- which is really good and has a great narrative style of writing.  Someone reminded me, yesterday, of the amazing works of Michelangelo that I will be seeing, and this will be a highlight of my trip.  I studied so much Renaissance art when I was in college and did so many papers or essay questions about it, that I am in awe that I get to see it in person.

woo hoo!

Anyway, I am also THRILLED TO SAY IT IS THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!  The turtle races yesterday had some uneven results.  I think most of the kids had fun, but indeed I had a cryer, and a bad sport, and they were questioning my judgment as to who won or lost....  and even negotiating over the treat they got.  **eyeroll**  So yeah, this is why I haven't done this in 5 years and why I won't again for a while.  I believe I will have to come in on Saturday and finish up the elem. art room, as I have to do grades today after the kids leave at noon.

Almost clean- but a set back yesterday after turtle races... lol

I have to zip off here, I am needing to get myself ready for this last day!  While it is sad to see the end of one year, I will indeed see them - or at least most of them- next year again, and there will be a new round of joy.  

Rock on people!!

Wide Awake and counting down- 1.5 days (and 15, too)

I've had the ceiling fan running at night lately, since the weather has decided it could be warm for a while and guess what!  I woke up at  4:20 (about my least favorite time to wake up- if I fell back to sleep I wouldn't wake up until well past 5;30 and that just wouldn't be cool) and was FREEZING!!

My mind started racing when I decided I couldn't let myself fall asleep completely again- thinking about all the things that I need to do today, that apparently the other admin wants to do an observation of me today- on my last day of teaching??  whatevs.  I have a lot of my elementary classroom packed away, and will make massive strides to that end in my high school today.  I am not sure what I will get finished in my  5th and 4th grades as they suddenly are a week behind the other classes.....  turtle races may or may not happen.

I was really happy to get a good walk in last night- almost 5 miles.  Apparently we will be walking between 5 and 10 miles every day in Italy, which is perfect if you ask me, and I want to get some consistent miles in to prepare.  I hope the Mad-Seester Rose is too!!

I ordered the last of my non-clothing stuff for this trip last night- unless I decide I need a neck pillow- geez this goes on for days.  But will all be TOTALLY worth it when we get where we are going and see what we are going to see!!

So today I will be finishing up with all of my elementary students and the rest of my high school kids as well, though I will see the big kids for a few minutes tomorrow morning.  I have no picture today, but I do have my link to art in Italy.  One week from last night we have our final meeting before Italy and two weeks from last night, I will be leaving to head to my sisters for some pre-trip excitement.

But first, I have some other things to attend to and that will be a joy- but a little sad.  Endings can be that way, but the beginnings are not that far away.

Off to the (turtle) races and 16 daysI

Getting ready for the go!

It was the last Tuesday of school yesterday, and I was dreading it a bit.  I have some quite raucous 5th and 4th graders and they do try my patience some days.  It is the number of children that are in my particular classes- I deal with a class and a half- ugh- sigh-grimace- and there are a number of factors in that whole dynamic.  Anyway, I wanted to do something that would keep them busy and truly occupied for a few days at this crucial time of the year, when all Mad-Art teachers earn their names.  So- turtle races.  I hadn't done these in 5 years, as it loses a lot of fun if the kids know what you are going to do.  I like to spring things on them occasionally and this is one of those times.

HOLD IT HIGH AND TIGHT!!

Simply put- they trace a turtle shape on tagboard, cut it out, and decorate it.  Then on race day I attach  2 thick yarns to 2 table legs, slap some tape on them to keep the yarn in place, and the kids pair up and race.  Oh- right before they race I punch a hole in the neck area, they string it on the yarn and do all sorts of contortions while staying behind a line to coax the turtle down the yarn....  and no one better be sticking a pencil into the hole to make it bigger or you are DQed and no starburst for you!!!  Yes that is right, we sort of have brackets, where they go on to the next round, and the LOSER gets a starburst candy.  And yes people - there are tears when some of them lose.....  You just can't win sometimes.  So as things go on they all end up with a candy since they all lose, except for the ultimate winner who got a bigger package of starburst.  The candy serves to keep them busy and out of the way.  Of course there are claims of cheating and all, but I just keep those turtle rolling.  Lol.

Wiggling it towards the end

I am not sure if the next groups on Thursday will have time to do it, since they have not made the turtles yet, but maybe.  I had people sticking their head in the door to see what was going on, and they never do find the courage to come in.  This sort of thing is not for the feint of heart, y'all!

Anyway, last night I had a mini-moment.  Naturally this happened when I was going to bed.  I looked at the Universal adaptor system I picked up from REI for my trip and had a moment of - holy crap do I have everything I need for this???  I started rolling through stuff in my brain and as I shut off the light decided I really need to finish my school stuff before I start obsessing over packing for my trip.  But OHHHHH that is right there at the edge of my mind.

A week from today I am going to have a mini- as in tiny, small, little - slideshow for the people going on the trip about a little of the art that we will be seeing, with an emphasis on the architecture types.  Mini because no one wants me to start lecturing on the whole history of art and also because I have no desire to turn this into a class... I just want to enjoy the trip and the students will have a little background knowledge that they can use to enhance their experience.

Anyway, on to the first day of finals!  I have had my high school kids working on final projects, and actually most of them were working right up until today.  A few are going to store unfinished oil paintings until next year.  That works out just fine, I am glad they have been busy. Cleaning begins today!!

End of the year wrap up is a bitter sweet thing, but it is what it is.  And through out we can find a way to spread some joy.

Last week of school and 17 days

I look at this coming week with a mixture of dread and anticipation and just a touch of sad.  Even though I have been complaining about the behaviors of certain children in my life-ahemloudcough- it is always sort of bittersweet when another year is over.  I NEVER am able to get through everything that I want to, and then there is the matter of the kids who leave.  It seems that every year, through relocation or graduation, some of my favorite students leave the school.  I know that 3 of my elementary children are moving away- far away- and I won't see them again, most likely.  It is sad, but perhaps they are moving for a parent's new job or something positive.  I hope that is the case.  Meanwhile, I have a very exciting thing for the 4th and 5th grades to do- called turtle races.  I'll not discuss that at this time, just in case.....  haha  I like to do things mysteriously at times.

A lovely result from all the rain

Anyway, it will be odd to have no seniors at school this week, but we shall adjust just fine.Today will be a work day for everyone and then tomorrow, we begin the process of cleaning the hs art room.  As I told them, I didn't make this mess, I'm not cleaning the whole thing up.  I will probably have to come in to school one afternoon and finish the process, but since I have to do my requisitions anyway, it is tolerable, I suppose.  Most of us do not want to set foot in that building more than absolutely necessary until August.  However most of us end up finishing things during that first week after school is done.  Since I have plans for the end of June, I have to get it all done sooner rather than later.  I have been known to wait for a full week to go back to finish my stuff in the art room.

Holy smokes, it is June tomorrow!!  This is when stuff gets real!  17 days until the trip- last night I started thinking about food, and I have to memorize the Italian word vegetarian.  Lol  Heck, I could probably live off of gelato.  :)  I know the tour director has planned for my particular preferences as well as my sisters (we are not all that high maintenance, really) and the planned together meals are going to be of the authentic type- read: if I see any one going to a McDonalds they are getting lectured.  haha.  Actually I will be so busy and occupied that I am not paying attention to what others are doing.  I hope my sister is ready for tourist Debi, who never wants to sit!  I figure I can sleep when I get home- and the more exhausted I am the more likely I will be able to fall asleep.

Meanwhile, I have been watching the weather for up here, as usually the day after school is finished my good friends and I go to Bayfield and celebrate the end of the school year.  HOWEVER, it is looking like rain all weekend.  I am sure a decision will be made soon, but if we have to put this event off until Monday, I am still available for trips to the north!  Wednesday- I have appointments frequently through the day, and I am not sure what the rest of the week brings.  I HAVE to go out of town to do some clothing shopping next week, so things are filling up.

On a fun note, I  reconnected with my cousin Gilbert yesterday.  He has a cabin way up north and he stopped by on the way home.  That was so nice and he will be stopping by again when he gets up there!  I used to see him and my cousins connie and Shirley maybe once a month  or 6 weeks when we were young, our families were pretty close.

Anyway, I suppose I should get myself prepping for school today.  After a perfect day yesterday, it is looking decidedly unsettled here.  Really we don't need more rain today, but apparently I don't get to choose!  Probably our newly planted tomato plants would appreciate the water.

So, have a great Tuesday, everyone!  It will end up being a short work week- which will be great for all of us.  And that really will be a joy.

Ah.......summer vacation

I feel slightly bad about doing this to all you non-teachers but......

 RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU ARE FILLED WITH BLISS THIS MORNING!!!  **HAND RAISED**  **WAVING HAND AROUND**  ** OBNOXIOUS "MEMEMEMEMEMEME" SHOUTING**

Ok, I am done now.  :)

So, what to do, what to do??  I will be heading out on the bike soon, because of the afternoon chance of rain and then prepping my house for being gone for a few days. I am looking forward to this, let me tell you.  I have had enough of the suffering of my odd internal brain workings, and I am ready to get ON with it already.  First up is a nice visit with the sister and then a visit south.  YAY!

Yesterday was a hard day for me.  I felt really bad all day, as evidenced by a recent post or two.  But the Mad-Art teacher can NOT stand to be swept up with melancholy and feelings of despair very long.  I just can't.  I have officially shaken it off and will go on with life.  I feel like I have had a huge load lifted off my shoulders this morning.  And I will not be taking it back on anytime soon.

I just saw the blaze of orange the tells me a poppy bloomed overnight and I have some iris that have also blossomed and a few other mostly purple flowers that are doing their thing out there.  I need to do a little weeding in between the raindrops as well.  I know that the sun is going to be shining a good deal of the day, and I look forward to being out in it.  Not going to let a little threat of rain keep this Sunshine girl down.

Or let it keep me from being a joygiver once again.

Last day/first day

Today is the last official student day of school.  We actually have only a half day with the kids and then we have the rest of the day to clean/grade/finish-up our school year.  I can hardly believe that another year is over.  I have mixed emotions over it all.

It has been an interesting year for me, to say the least.  Of course last summer (and since I was at a class to renew my teaching license, I consider this part of the school year) I came down with Lymes- put me out of commission for a few weeks to say the least.  And then there was the whole elbow incident.....  so boo to those things.  I have taught with actually great success a whole PILE of new freshmen- and much to their and my surprise, many many of them have  truly excelled in art.  Or at least can see their own potential.  I have hit my sweet spot in teaching painting, too.  I have fine-tuned the process and steps and practice the kids have to do to learn to paint realistically. (Not that painting realistically is the ultimate end all, but that is a whole 'nuther post)  It takes a whole lot of practice painting, let me tell you.  Lots of color theory, lots and lots of reteaching.  But what a satisfying year it has been for that.

My elementary kids did well as a group, too.  I will say that it is a challenge to have up to 28 little kids in one art class.  The management aspect of it is very difficult at times.  That is a lot of 4th and 5th grade bodies to be in one classroom.  I have a class and a half because of my schedule restraints.  And of course the elbow thing really messed with my usual curriculum.  But that is the way that goes, we did fine.

There will be a lot of changes in our staff next year.  My dear friend Ginny L. is retiring and there are only 2 5th grade teachers remaining from the original elementary staff I began teaching with 19 years ago. THAT is really weird.  There are not too many High School Teachers remaining on staff from 19 years ago, either.  The staffing changes at the High School have been numerous lately.  One of those changes, as many of you know, and I won't discuss it here on my blog - YET- is very traumatic for me, and indeed everyone at the high school.  The unfairness of this- the incredible ignorance involved in this decision - is breathtaking.  And it is going to make my last day of school today brutally sad at times.

BUT after all that, tomorrow is the first day of summer vacation and that will be NICE.  We **may** have a trip to Bayfield in the works, complete with a ride on the ferry and a little lunch on a beach, and coffee and Coco's and other things that we don't even know about quite yet.  The weather is looking cautiously optimistic, though cool, and I am ready.  Next week I am going to go and relax at my seester's house and eventually make my way down to Janesville for a little Ella time.  I am hoping NO ONE will be tired of me after 5 days or so.  :)  

The first day of summer is full of potential!  So many little trips to take and things to do.  And I do have to occasionally stay home and garden and work on some art and generally spend quality time on a bike and in a kayak.  This is not gearing up to be a real warm summer so far, but there is hope that I will see temperatures rising into the 80's at some point here.  Not that we want to be sweltering or anything. Lol

Anyway, I need to wrap this up and get myself ready for this last day/first day.  I am sort of dragging my feet because of the finality that this day has.  However, I won't get to Bayfield tomorrow and begin my first day,  if I don't begin the last day.

I will do my best today to be the best joy-giver that I can be.  I hope you all have a spectacular day.  MWAH!

Short, fast and fabulous to do list

I have to make this a short SHORT post, as I have to get ready for one of the following things on my list~

1.  TODAY IS THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
      (I just downloaded the School's Out song- is that too cliche?) (TOO BAD)

(OMG)

(YAY)

(PARTY BABY)

(LET THE TWITTER FEST BEGIN)


2. Final prep for my "Cleaning Goddess" (write a note and a check!)

3. TRY not to speed as I go to school this morning

4.  Become loud and obnoxious in the  hallways

5.  CLEAN the rest of my room and then finish grades

6.  Potluck at 1!!!

7. Try and get one school's orders done

8. Try to NOT squeal out of the parking lot.........

9. Go to gym for another lesson in deadlifting

10. Collapse on couch and them make a Margarita

How was that??  Did you say that wasn't short at all?  Well, once I got rolling I couldn't stop myself.  What I really wanted to say also is-

tomorrow:  SUMMER PEDICURE!!!  PACK my bags  Get some cash

Sunday: Go to Sistah Rose's house

Mon - Wed:  Shop like a maniac, relax, enjoy

I have a general summer to do list but between my shower and packing my breakfast and getting the rhubarb cake ready for #6 and doing the second item on my list, I have to get going!!!

TODAY will be a joy!!